What is 5/4 of 16?
Often, in mathematics or everyday life, we need to find a fraction of a given number. For instance, how would you quickly calculate 5/4 of 16? We'll show you a straightforward method to achieve that.
How to calculate 5/4 of 16?
- Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 16 × 5 = 80
- Divide this result by denominator of the fraction: 80/4 = 20
- Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD (4):
- 80/4 = 20
- 4/4 = 1
- Which gives: 20/1
How does it work?
The principle behind finding a fraction of a number, such as 5/4 of 16, is rooted in the method of cross-multiplication.
Consider the following proportion: (where x represents 5/4 of 16)
- 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, 5/4 of 16 is equal to 20/1 (or 20 in its decimal form).