What is 1/4 of 74?
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 74? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.
How to calculate 1/4 of 74?
- Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 74 × 1 = 74
- Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 74/4 = 18.5
- Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (2):
- 74/2 = 37
- 4/2 = 2
- Which gives: 37/2
Since 37/2 is an improper fraction, the result could also be expressed as a mixed number: 18 1/2
How does it work?
The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 1/4 of 74, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.
Consider the following proportion: (where x represents 1/4 of 74)
- 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 74 is equal to 37/2 (or 18.5 in its decimal form).