This is a classic math problem that focuses on understanding division and its inverse operation, multiplication. Let's break it down:
Understanding the Problem
The question asks: "What divided by what gives you 12?" This is essentially asking for two numbers where the result of dividing the first number by the second number is 12.
Finding the Solutions
There are actually an infinite number of solutions to this problem! Here's why:
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Multiplication and Division are Inverse Operations: Remember that division and multiplication are inverse operations. This means they "undo" each other. If you divide one number by another and get 12, you can always multiply the result (12) by the divisor to get back the original number.
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Finding Solutions: Let's think about the multiplication side. To get 12, you can multiply:
- 12 x 1 = 12
- 24 x 0.5 = 12
- 36 x (1/3) = 12
- 48 x (1/4) = 12
- And so on...
Examples
Here are a few examples of what divided by what gives you 12:
- 12 divided by 1 equals 12
- 24 divided by 2 equals 12
- 36 divided by 3 equals 12
- 48 divided by 4 equals 12
Generalizing the Solution
You can express any solution to this problem with a simple formula:
- (12 * x) / x = 12
Where 'x' can be any non-zero number. This formula demonstrates that you can multiply 12 by any number, and then divide the result by the same number, and you'll always get 12.
Conclusion
The question "What divided by what gives you 12?" highlights the relationship between division and multiplication. There are infinite pairs of numbers that satisfy this equation, as long as the second number is not zero. The key is to remember that multiplication and division are inverse operations, meaning they "undo" each other.
