What is 1/5 of 26?
Often, in mathematics or everyday life, we need to find a fraction of a given number. For instance, how would you quickly calculate 1/5 of 26? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.
How to calculate 1/5 of 26?
- Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 26 × 1 = 26
- Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 26/5 = 5.2
Since 26/5 is an improper fraction, the result could also be expressed as a mixed number: 5 1/5
How does it work?
The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 1/5 of 26, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.
Consider the following proportion: (where x represents 1/5 of 26)
- Using the cross-multiplication method, multiply both numerators by their opposite denominators:
- Which gives:
- Divide both sides by 5 to isolate x:
- Which gives the result:
Thus, 1/5 of 26 is equal to 26/5 (or 5.2 in its decimal form).