Divide by 5 in Seconds: A Simple Math Trick

Dividing by 5 can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re trying to do it in your head. But there’s a simple trick that can make it a breeze! This trick is based on the fact that dividing by 5 is the same as multiplying by 2 and then dividing by 10.

The Trick

Here’s how it works:

1. Double the number. For example, if you want to divide 15 by 5, double 15 to get 30.
2. Divide the doubled number by 10. In our example, divide 30 by 10, which gives you 3. That’s it! 15 divided by 5 is 3.

Why Does This Work?

Let’s break down the math to understand why this trick works:

Dividing by 5 is the same as multiplying by 1/5.

Multiplying by 1/5 is the same as multiplying by 2/10 (since 2/10 simplifies to 1/5).

Multiplying by 2/10 is the same as doubling the number and then dividing by 10.

Example

Let’s try another example. Let’s say you want to divide 28 by 5.

1. Double 28 to get 56.
2. Divide 56 by 10 to get 5.6. So 28 divided by 5 is 5.6.

Practice Makes Perfect

The more you practice this trick, the easier it will become. You’ll be able to divide by 5 in your head in no time!

Other Useful Math Tricks

There are many other cool math tricks out there that can help you with different calculations. Here are a few examples:

• To multiply a number by 9, multiply it by 10 and then subtract the original number. For example, 9 x 7 = (10 x 7) – 7 = 70 – 7 = 63.
• To quickly square a number ending in 5, multiply the tens digit by the next higher number and then add 25 to the result. For example, 25 squared is (2 x 3) + 25 = 625.

So next time you need to divide by 5, remember this simple trick and impress your friends with your mental math skills!