3 Simple Tricks To Solve 51 Divided By 3

When faced with a seemingly straightforward problem like calculating 51 divided by 3, there's often more than one way to approach the solution. This guide will walk you through three simple tricks to not only solve this equation but also to deepen your understanding of division and its applications. Whether you're a student looking for a quick mental shortcut or an adult brushing up on basic arithmetic, these techniques are designed to make division fun, engaging, and relevant.

1. The Halving and Doubling Method

The first trick involves a technique known as halving and doubling. Here's how you do it:

Steps:

1. Halve the Divisor: 3 divided by 2 equals 1.5.
2. Double the Dividend: 51 multiplied by 2 equals 102.
3. Divide: Now, 102 divided by 1.5 equals 68.

51 ÷ 3 = (51 x 2) ÷ (3 ÷ 2) = 102 ÷ 1.5 = 68

Advantages:

• This method can simplify larger numbers or divisions where one number is significantly larger than the other.
• It can make mental arithmetic more manageable.

Use Case:

Imagine you're in a grocery store, and you see a sale sign saying "Buy 3, get 50% off the third." If each item is $51, you can use this method to quickly determine that the total for three items is $102, and after applying the discount, you'll pay only $68.

<p class="pro-note">🤓 Pro Tip: This method works wonderfully when you're dealing with numbers that are not very friendly to your mental arithmetic, but remember to round carefully to avoid errors!</p>

2. The Break Down and Sum Approach

This second trick leverages the distributive property of division.

Steps:

1. Divide 51 by 3 in chunks:
   • First, divide 30 by 3, which is 10.
   • Then, divide 21 by 3, which is 7.
2. Add the results: 10 + 7 = 17, but since you added an extra chunk, the result is 17 - 1 = 17.

51 ÷ 3 = (30 + 21) ÷ 3 = 10 + 7 = 17 - 1 = 17

Benefits:

• Simplifies division for larger numbers.
• Allows for quick checks against the multiplication facts you already know.

Use Case:

If you're dealing with a larger group and need to distribute snacks equally, say 51 snacks among 3 children, you could first distribute 30 snacks (10 each) and then figure out how many more each child gets, making the division easier to manage.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: This approach is excellent for teaching kids about division as it breaks the problem down into manageable parts.</p>

3. The Fraction Method

The third trick is for those who prefer working with fractions.

Steps:

1. Convert 51 to a fraction: 51/3
2. Simplify the fraction: 51/3 = (50 + 1)/3 = 50/3 + 1/3 = 16 R 3

51 ÷ 3 = 51/3 = (50/3) + (1/3) = 16 2/3 or 16 with a remainder of 3

Why This Works:

• Many people find working with fractions intuitive.
• It's especially useful if you're dealing with exact division that doesn't result in an integer.

Practical Example:

If you're splitting a pizza (51 slices) among three people, you can easily see that each gets 16 slices, and there are 3 slices left, making distribution much simpler.

<p class="pro-note">✨ Pro Tip: Understanding fractions can make division by numbers that aren't clean multiples of your divisor much more straightforward.</p>

Summarizing the Key Takeaways:

Division by 3 or any number isn't always about straightforward algorithms. Each of these methods offers a different perspective on solving the same problem:

• Halving and doubling can make division easier by dealing with friendlier numbers.
• Breaking down and summing is a great strategy for managing larger numbers or teaching division.
• Fractions help visualize and calculate when dealing with non-integer results.

Now you're equipped with three simple yet powerful tricks to tackle the seemingly mundane math problem of 51 divided by 3. We encourage you to explore more advanced math tutorials and tricks to sharpen your skills further.

<p class="pro-note">🚀 Pro Tip: Keep practicing these methods, and soon you'll be able to pick the most suitable trick for any division problem you encounter!</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why might someone use the halving and doubling trick?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>It simplifies division by dealing with easier numbers, making mental arithmetic less taxing.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I use the break down and sum method for any division?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can, but it's most effective when one number is much larger, allowing for easy division into known quantities.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How does understanding fractions help with division?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Fractions can simplify division when the result isn't a whole number, providing a clearer understanding of remainders.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Which method is best for mental math?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The halving and doubling method is often the best for quick mental calculations.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>