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Math Skills Overview Guide

Dividing by Zero

What does it mean?

Definitions:

Division by zero - Division where a is the dividend (numerator) and the divisor (denominator) is zero and can be expressed as $$\frac{a}{0}$$ In arithmetic, this expression has no meaning, since there is no number which, multiplied by 0, gives a (a≠0), and so division by zero is undefined

 What does it look like?

A general example to help you recognize patterns and spot the information you're looking for

$$5132 ÷ 0 = cannot\space be\space found$$ $$232 ÷ 0 = is\space undefined$$

You'll use it...

If a number is divided by zero in a computer program, it gives an error and the program gets terminated.

  Video: Why Dividing by Zero is Undefined