Why can't you divide something by 0?

Let's go back to the definition of division: If we have a number o apples a and b persons to share them with, we can say that each person gets a/b apples. Example: 4 apples and 2 persons : 4/2= 2 apples for each person or 4 apples and 1 person : 4/1=4 apples Does it make any sense for these apples to be distributed to 0 persons? No. The main mistake is that people assume 4/0 is 0. In fact, the apples are still there (4/0 equals 0), but there are no persons to share them with. So a/0 is undefined, for any a= real number. Extra eplanation: graph method.

AM
Answered by Andreea-Lorena M. Maths tutor

3664 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Find the first derivative of 2x^3+5x^2+4x+1 (with respect to x)


Using implicit differentiation, write the expression "3y^2 = 4x^3 + x" in terms of "dy/dx"


Express x^2-7x+2 in the form (x-p)^2+q where p and q are rational. Hence or otherwise find the minimum value of x^2-7x+2


Identify two errors made by a student asked to evaluate the following integral (Will upload question to less space)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning