What is 1/6 of 42?
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 42? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.
How to calculate 1/6 of 42?
- Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 42 × 1 = 42
- Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 42/6 = 7
- Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (6):
- 42/6 = 7
- 6/6 = 1
- Which gives: 7/1
How does it work?
The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 1/6 of 42, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.
Consider the following proportion: (where x represents 1/6 of 42)
- Using the cross-multiplication method, multiply both numerators by their opposite denominators:
- Which gives:
- Divide both sides by 6 to isolate x:
- Which gives the result: (or )
Thus, 1/6 of 42 is equal to 7/1 (or 7 in its decimal form).