What is 1/6 of 2?

Often, in mathematics or everyday life, we need to find a fraction of a given number. For instance, how would you quickly calculate 1/6 of 2? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.

How to calculate 1/6 of 2?

  1. Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 2 × 1 = 2
  2. Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 2/6 = 0.33333333333333
  3. Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (2):
    • 2/2 = 1
    • 6/2 = 3
  4. Which gives: 1/3

How does it work?

The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 1/6 of 2, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.

Consider the following proportion: 1 6 = x 2 (where x represents 1/6 of 2)

  1. Using the cross-multiplication method, multiply both numerators by their opposite denominators: 1 × 2 = 6 x
  2. Which gives: 2 = 6 x
  3. Divide both sides by 6 to isolate x: 2 6 = 6 x 6
  4. Which gives the result: 2 6 = x (or 1 3 = x )

Thus, 1/6 of 2 is equal to 1/3 (or 0.33333333333333 in its decimal form).