What is 0.25 x 20?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answer:
0.25 × 20 = 5
Explanation (300 words):
Multiplying 0.25 by 20 is a straightforward arithmetic operation, but understanding the process and the concept behind it is important.
Step 1: Understanding the numbers
- 0.25 is a decimal number that represents a fraction. Specifically, 0.25 is equivalent to the fraction 1/4 (one quarter).
- 20 is a whole number (an integer).
Step 2: Multiplying decimals by whole numbers
When you multiply a decimal by a whole number, you can think of it as adding the decimal number to itself multiple times. For example, 0.25 × 20 means adding 0.25 to itself 20 times:
0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + … (20 times)
Alternatively, since 0.25 is 1/4, multiplying it by 20 means:
(1/4) × 20 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Step 3: Calculating the product
To multiply decimals, ignore the decimal point first and multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers.
- Multiply 25 (from 0.25 without the decimal) by 20:
25 × 20 = 500 - Since 0.25 has two decimal places, place the decimal back two places from the right in the result:
500 → 5.00 → 5
Thus, the product of 0.25 and 20 is 5.
Step 4: Interpretation
In real-world terms, 0.25 times 20 can represent “one-quarter of twenty,” which equals 5. For example, if you have 20 dollars and want to find a quarter of it, the answer would be 5 dollars.
Summary:
Multiplying 0.25 by 20 is the same as calculating a quarter of 20, which equals 5. This understanding of decimals and fractions is crucial for various practical applications in math, finance, and science.