Jump to content

Is division confused with fractions?

Myuncle

By Myuncle
in Mathematics

 Share

Recommended Posts

ajb

ajb

Posted
Posted

Even multiplication it's nothing but a shortcut for addition. I can calculate 3x76556 with additions, but it would take me a year to write it down...So I suppose that, in the past, the origin of multiplication was the need to create a shortcut for long tedious additions, and the origin of division was to create a shortcut for long tedious subtractions.

 

 

I agree that this is most likely the origin of multiplication and division. Though I would say that the notion of multiplying mathematical objects can be much more general than this.

  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Myuncle
Myuncle

Why do we teach our kids that 6 ÷ 3 = 2? If I divide 6 oranges in 3, what I get is not 2 oranges, but 2+2+2, without subtracting 4 oranges. So why don't we teach 6 ÷ 3 = 2+2+2, 1÷2 = 0.5+0.5, etc e

ajb
ajb

The example values are all very neat, appart from 1/3. As a decimal this does not have a very nice representation. You mean [math]7 = (2 \times 3) +1[/math]. Which we can then pretty much use as

gabrelov
gabrelov

We can rephrase this as we have 6 oranges and there are three of you so we divide 6 oranges by three persons and you get 2 for each person.   It simply implies how many part will each person get.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.