what is 1 8 of 24

2 min read 05-02-2025

Finding a fraction of a number is a common math problem. This article will show you how to calculate 1/8 of 24, explaining the process clearly and simply. We'll break down the problem step-by-step so you can easily understand the solution and apply the method to similar problems.

Understanding the Problem: 1/8 of 24

The question "What is 1/8 of 24?" asks us to find one-eighth of the number 24. In other words, we need to divide 24 into eight equal parts and then determine the value of one of those parts.

Method 1: Division

The most straightforward approach is to use division. To find 1/8 of 24, we divide 24 by 8:

24 ÷ 8 = 3

Therefore, 1/8 of 24 is 3.

Method 2: Multiplication

Alternatively, we can solve this using multiplication. Remember that "of" in math often means multiplication. So, 1/8 of 24 can be written as:

(1/8) x 24

To multiply a fraction by a whole number, we can multiply the numerator (top number) by the whole number and then divide by the denominator (bottom number):

(1 x 24) ÷ 8 = 24 ÷ 8 = 3

Again, we arrive at the answer: 1/8 of 24 is 3.

Visual Representation

Imagine a pizza cut into 8 equal slices. The whole pizza represents 24. Each slice represents 1/8 of the pizza. To find the value of one slice (1/8 of 24), we divide the total number of slices (24) by the number of slices (8).

Diagram showing a pizza cut into 8 slices, each representing 1/8 of 24

*(Note: Replace "pizza_diagram.png" with an actual image file. Make sure the image is optimized for web use.)*

Practical Applications

Understanding how to calculate fractions of numbers is crucial in many real-life situations. For example:

Sharing items equally: If you have 24 cookies and want to share them equally among 8 friends, each friend gets 3 cookies (1/8 of 24).
Calculating discounts: If an item costs $24 and is discounted by 1/8, the discount amount is $3 (1/8 of 24).
Recipe scaling: If a recipe calls for 24 ounces of an ingredient and you want to make 1/8 of the recipe, you'll need 3 ounces of that ingredient.

Conclusion

We've explored two different methods to calculate 1/8 of 24: division and multiplication. Both methods yield the same result: 3. Understanding these methods empowers you to solve similar fractional problems efficiently and confidently. Remember, the key is to grasp the fundamental concept of dividing the whole number by the denominator of the fraction.