Why Can't We Divide by Zero?

Question

It always seemed to me any number X divided by zero would simply be X, since we're dividing by nothing, so then the original number wouldn't be altered. Why isn't this true? Can this ever be true?

Answer 1

Division means seperating a number into equal parts. So dividing by 2 should give you two equal parts, and dividing by 1 would give you one part, which is the number itself. Therefore, it is not possible to divide something into zero equal parts.

Think of a cake, you can slice it into 2 or 3 equal parts, you could leave it as 1 part, but it isn't possible to slice it into zero equal parts.

Answer 2

Division is the inverse of multiplication. If $X\div Y=Z$, then $Z\times Y=X$. If you decide $X\div 0=X$, then $X\times0=X$ !