how many times does 5 go into 2. how do you get 2.5 explain the process please
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
5 does not go into 2 any whole number of times — the result is a decimal, and that decimal is 0.4, not 2.5.
However, if you’re asking how we get 2.5 when dividing 5 into another number, then the correct operation is: 52=2.5\frac{5}{2} = 2.5
This means 5 divided by 2 equals 2.5, not 5 into 2.
300-Word Explanation:
Let’s clear up a common confusion about division wording. The phrase “How many times does 5 go into 2?” is asking, how many whole times does the number 5 fit into 2. Since 5 is larger than 2, it goes into 2 zero whole times. So: 5÷2=0.4(or “5 goes into 2” gives 0.4)5 \div 2 = 0.4 \quad \text{(or “5 goes into 2” gives 0.4)}
But if the question is actually: “What is 5 divided by 2?”, the operation becomes: 5÷2=2.55 \div 2 = 2.5
Now let’s break down how we get 2.5 from this:
- 5 ÷ 2 is asking how many 2s fit into 5.
- 2 goes into 5 two times, which makes 2 × 2 = 4.
- That leaves a remainder of 1 (since 5 – 4 = 1).
- Now, to continue dividing, we add a decimal point and a zero: the remainder 1 becomes 10.
- 2 goes into 10 five times, because 2 × 5 = 10, with no remainder.
So putting that together: 5÷2=2 (whole) +0.5=2.55 \div 2 = 2 \text{ (whole) } + 0.5 = 2.5
So, 5 divided by 2 is 2.5. This is the decimal representation of the fraction 5/2. Understanding this helps with both simple division and converting fractions to decimals.
In conclusion:
- “How many times does 5 go into 2?” = 0.4
- “What is 5 divided by 2?” = 2.5
Make sure to pay attention to how the question is worded!