Imagine you're at a dinner party, and someone brings up an interesting math-related topic: calculating 90 divided by 12. It seems simple, but in the heat of conversation, you might stumble on how to work it out mentally. Or perhaps you're studying for an upcoming exam, aiming to sharpen your division skills. Mastering 90 divided by 12 might seem like a niche skill, but it's incredibly useful in understanding basic arithmetic, boosting your mathematical confidence, and performing mental calculations swiftly.
What Does 90 Divided by 12 Mean?
Division, in the simplest terms, is the process of determining how many times one number (the divisor) can be subtracted from another number (the dividend) before the dividend becomes smaller than the divisor. In our case:
- 90 is our dividend, the number we want to divide.
- 12 is our divisor, the number we are dividing by.
The quotient, or the result, tells us how many times 12 fits into 90.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Set Up the Problem
First, let's write down the division problem: [ 90 \div 12 ]
2. Perform Long Division
- Long division is a method of dividing numbers using a series of steps where we subtract multiples of the divisor from the dividend until we reach zero or a remainder that's smaller than the divisor.
Here's how you would manually calculate 90 divided by 12:
7
12| 90
-84
-----
6
Here's the explanation:
- 12 goes into 90 7 times because 7 times 12 equals 84, which is the largest multiple of 12 that's less than or equal to 90.
- Subtract 84 from 90, and we get 6 as the remainder.
<p class="pro-note">โ ๏ธ Pro Tip: When performing long division, remember that the remainder must always be less than the divisor.</p>
3. Interpretation of Results
- 7 is the quotient. This means 90 can be divided by 12 7 times.
- 6 is the remainder. This means there are 6 units left after dividing 90 by 12 as many times as possible.
4. Fractional or Decimal Form
If we want to express this as a fraction or a decimal:
- As a fraction: ( \frac{90}{12} = 7 \frac{6}{12} )
- Simplified, this becomes ( 7 \frac{1}{2} )
- In decimal form, this is 7.5
5. Apply and Practice
Applying this knowledge in real life:
- If you're splitting 90 apples into 12 baskets, you would put 7 apples in each basket and have 6 apples left over.
- In a business context, if you have $90 to share among 12 employees, each would get $7.50.
Examples and Scenarios
Scenario 1: Sharing Pizza
Imagine you have 90 slices of pizza and 12 friends at a party. You want to give an equal number of slices to each:
- Calculation: Each person gets 7 slices and 6 slices remain.
Scenario 2: Timing and Distance
- If you're driving 90 miles and want to know how long it will take at 12 miles per hour:
- Calculation: It will take 7 hours and 6 miles will be left to go.
Scenario 3: Financial Allocation
- You're given a budget of $90 to divide among 12 different projects:
- Calculation: Each project receives $7.50 as an equal share.
<p class="pro-note">๐ Pro Tip: Real-world applications often involve rounding or adjusting the division result for practical purposes.</p>
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Forgetting the Remainder: Always keep track of the remainder in your calculations to avoid inaccuracies.
- Rounding Too Soon: Precision can be crucial, so avoid rounding prematurely when dealing with fractions or decimals.
Advanced Techniques
-
Mental Math Shortcuts:
- Halving and Doubling: Since 12 is half of 24, you can multiply 90 by 2 to get 180 (easy) and then divide by 24 (also easy) for a quick estimation.
-
Simplifying Division:
- Knowing that (12 = 3 \times 4), you can break down the division into simpler steps:
- (90 \div 3 = 30)
- (30 \div 4 = 7.5)
- Knowing that (12 = 3 \times 4), you can break down the division into simpler steps:
In Conclusion
Mastering the division of 90 by 12 not only sharpens your arithmetic skills but also enhances your ability to handle real-world scenarios involving division. By understanding the process and applying the steps, you can solve division problems with ease and precision. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep dividing, calculating, and applying these skills in your daily life.
We encourage you to delve into other division-related tutorials for a comprehensive understanding.
<p class="pro-note">๐ Pro Tip: Keep exploring different mathematical concepts; understanding one can illuminate others!</p>
<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why is division important?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Division is a fundamental mathematical operation used in various fields from finance to engineering. It helps in understanding how to distribute resources, time, or quantities equally.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I perform 90 divided by 12 quickly?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Use mental shortcuts like breaking 90 by 12 into simpler steps using its factors or estimate by doubling or halving. Also, practicing long division speeds up the process.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What is the significance of the remainder in division?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The remainder shows what's left after dividing as evenly as possible. It's essential in scenarios where you need to account for every unit of something being divided.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>