Why is when we multiply1/2 to 1/2 the answer is 1/4 which is lower that is supposed to be higher?

Answer 1

Think of a loaf of bread (one unit) that you cut in half. This represents the first 1/2 in your multiplication. You are then left with two halves. Taking 1/2 of a half (which represents multiplying by the second 1/2) you are left with 1/4 of the original loaf.

Answer 2

Because it takes a 1/4 to make a 1/2.

Answer 3

Let's do this in % instead of fraction, for ease of illustration.

If we add 50% of a pie, to another 50% of pie, we get 100%.

However, if we have 50% (1/2 of) of 50%, we have 25%, or 1/4.

Weird thing is, multiplying is not the same as adding, even though multiplying is considered "quick" adding.

Answer 4

Think of it like this:

1/2 * 1/2 is the same as 1/2 of 1/2.

What if you have one-half of a pizza to eat.
But before you start eating, one of your friends comes in.
You give your friend half of your piece.
Your friend gets half of the half pizza. That's one-fourth of a pizza.
You also have one-fourth of a pizza.

Just trust the math. 1/2 * 1/2 = 1/4

Answer 5

1/2 x1/2=2/4=1/2 like 1/4 x1/4=2/8=1/4

Answer 6

When you multiply by a fraction you are actually cutting the number.

For example take an apple and multiply it by 1/2
what you are doing is multiplying by the top number (1) then dividing by the bottom number (2). you end up with half an apple.

Since you are multiplying by a number lower than one you are actually dividing.

hope I haven't confused you.

Answer 7

Half of something times half of something is 1/4, or half of the half.

Answer 8

Because you're taking one half of one half. If you have half a pie and I ask you for half of it, you give me a quarter slice.