What is 2/8 of 20?

Often, in mathematics or everyday life, we need to find a fraction of a given number. For instance, how would you quickly calculate 2/8 of 20? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.

How to calculate 2/8 of 20?

  1. Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 20 × 2 = 40
  2. Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 40/8 = 5
  3. Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (8):
    • 40/8 = 5
    • 8/8 = 1
  4. Which gives: 5/1

How does it work?

The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 2/8 of 20, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.

Consider the following proportion: 2 8 = x 20 (where x represents 2/8 of 20)

  1. Using the cross-multiplication method, multiply both numerators by their opposite denominators: 2 × 20 = 8 x
  2. Which gives: 40 = 8 x
  3. Divide both sides by 8 to isolate x: 40 8 = 8 x 8
  4. Which gives the result: 40 8 = x (or 5 1 = x )

Thus, 2/8 of 20 is equal to 5/1 (or 5 in its decimal form).