What is 1/4 of 72?
Often, in mathematics or everyday life, we need to find a fraction of a given number. For instance, how would you quickly calculate 1/4 of 72? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.
How to calculate 1/4 of 72?
- Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 72 × 1 = 72
- Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 72/4 = 18
- Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (4):
- 72/4 = 18
- 4/4 = 1
- Which gives: 18/1
How does it work?
The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 1/4 of 72, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.
Consider the following proportion: (where x represents 1/4 of 72)
- Using the cross-multiplication method, multiply both numerators by their opposite denominators:
- Which gives:
- Divide both sides by 4 to isolate x:
- Which gives the result: (or )
Thus, 1/4 of 72 is equal to 18/1 (or 18 in its decimal form).