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

To answer this question, I'll give you one analogy solution and one mathematical solution to enhance your understanding on it.

(1) Analogy

Examples :

A cake (round shape),you cut it into half (1/2). So, the cake have been divided into 2 pieces and both have the same size of half. Then , take one piece of that half cake and cut it again into half (1/2).

Now, try to compare the size of the first piece of cake which has been cut into half (1/2) with the other cake that has been cut from half to another half (which become 1/4 of the original size of the cake). Which cake has the bigger size? the 1/2 size or the 1/4 size? Of course the 1/2 cake has the bigger size. So, this analogy is similar to the question asked, why 1/2 is higher than 1/4.

Next,

(2) Mathematical solution

1/2 means 1 divide over 2:

1 ÷ 2 = 0.5

1/4 means 1 divide over 4:

1 ÷ 4 = 0.25

(0.5 > 0.25)

As a result: 1/2 is higher than 1/4

Answer 2

When you're asking for 1/2 of anything, you're NATURALLY going to get LESS of that "something," no matterr what it is you start with.

Look at it this way:

1/2 is 2/4, RIGHT ? (If you DON'T agree with THAT, we simply can't go on, so STOP reading NOW !)

O.K. you're still reading, so you DO agree that 1/2 is 2/4, that is TWO quarters.

Then 1/2 (that is, one HALF) of 1/2 is one half of TWO quarters, and one Half of TWO quarters is ONE quarter.

And there you are. In arithmetic symbols :

1/2 x 1/2 = 1/2 x 2/4.

If you write this out in the normal way, on paper, using horizontal lines to separate the numerators from the denominators, you simply cancel the two 2's, leaving you with 1/4.

There is ABSOLUTELY no doubt that this result is correct. So, the real mystery is how YOU could ever have thought otherwise ! Only you can understand your own psychology.

Summarising the ineluctible consequences of multiplying ANYTHING (' A ') by some quantity ' Q ', which could be greater than, or less than 1 :

Q A is larger than A if Q exceeds 1 ; QA is less than A if Q is less than 1.

This result DOES NOT depend on whether A itself is greater than or less than 1.

Live long and prosper.

Answer 3

i was confused with that kinda question too.. But my teacher said when ever u see a question involving this type of question, always multiply the bottom number!
EG: 1/4 multiply 1/3 = 1/12
1/28 multiply 1/4 = 1/112
1/4 multiply 1/5 = 1/20

But if The top number is not 1 but other numbers,
EG: 2/5 multiply 3/7 = (2 multiply 3) / (5 multiply 7) = 10/21

Answer 4

Multiplying 1/2 by 1/2 is basically equivalent to dividing 1/2 by 2.
Plus.. 1*1 = 2. <- numerator.
and 2*2 = 4. <- denominator.

Answer 5

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 6

1 * 1 = 1
2 * 2 = 4
(1 * 1) / (2 * 2) = 1/4
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Why is this in physics again?

Answer 7

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...........

when you multiphy 1/2 to 1/2 that means you want half of a half, of course you gonna get 1/4

try cutting a pie into half then half of half see what u get.

You got to look at the fundamental definition of multiplication again. You seem to misunderstood what's "multiply".

Answer 8

You ask? And a person who would ask such a question is among those who are permitted to vote? No wonder our elected leaders are so inept!

Answer 9

Of course. Half of a half is a quarter.

Answer 10

think about it, what is a half of a half