Why can you multiply by zero but not divide?

Question

Go easy on me.

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

Just like multiplication is repeated additions, division is repeated subtractions.

You have 12 apples and want to divide them among 4 people. So the question is, how many times can you take 4 from 12?

1. 12 – 4 = 8

2. 8 – 4 = 4

3. 4 – 4 = 0

3 times.

Now then. You have 10 apples and want to divide them among 0 people. So the question is, how many times can you take 0 from 10?

1. 10 – 0 = 10

2. 10 – 0 = 10.

Uh-oh.