Why can't you divide something by 0?

Let's go back to the definition of division: If we have a number o apples a and b persons to share them with, we can say that each person gets a/b apples. Example: 4 apples and 2 persons : 4/2= 2 apples for each person or 4 apples and 1 person : 4/1=4 apples Does it make any sense for these apples to be distributed to 0 persons? No. The main mistake is that people assume 4/0 is 0. In fact, the apples are still there (4/0 equals 0), but there are no persons to share them with. So a/0 is undefined, for any a= real number. Extra eplanation: graph method.

AM
Answered by Andreea-Lorena M. Maths tutor

3894 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I rationalise the denominator of a fraction which consists of surds?


The line l1 has equation 4y - 3x = 10. Line l2 passes through points (5, -1) and (-1, 8). Determine whether the lines l1 and l2 are parallel, perpendicular or neither.


Edexcel C3 June 2015 Q1: tan(x)=p, where p is a constant. Using standard trigonometric identities, find the following in terms of p. a) tan(2x). b) cos(x). c) cot(x-45).


How would I differentiate a function such as f(x)=x^3(e^(2x))?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning