Math

Dividing by Zero

Students write a number for division by zero, such as saying 60=0\frac{6}{0} = 0.

Quick check

Why students make it

They mix up 0÷60 \div 6 with 6÷06 \div 0. They may think division always gives an answer because multiplication and division usually undo each other.

The rule done right

Division by zero is undefined. For any number aa, a0\frac{a}{0} is not a real number because there is no number xx with 0⋅x=a0 \cdot x = a when a≠0a \ne 0.

Related resources

divisionzerofractions