Why can't you divide by zero?
9,549,889 Views
27,288 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
In the world of math, many strange results are possible when we change the rules. But there’s one rule that most of us have been warned not to break: don’t divide by zero. How can the simple combination of an everyday number and a basic operation cause such problems?
WatchThink 6 Multiple Choice &
4 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
3 Open Discussions
4 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
3 Open Discussions
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The Khan Academy also has an awesome educational lesson on this topic: Why dividing by zero is undefined! Mathforum.org also answers the same question!
What are some other problems associated with zeros? Learn more by watching this video from Numberphile: Problems with Zero.
Numbers can be fascinating! Look at this article: The Secret Magic of Dividing by Zero!
Love mathematics? TED-Ed has a number of amazing lessons that involve all types of math! Click here and find your next lesson!
What are some other problems associated with zeros? Learn more by watching this video from Numberphile: Problems with Zero.
Numbers can be fascinating! Look at this article: The Secret Magic of Dividing by Zero!
Love mathematics? TED-Ed has a number of amazing lessons that involve all types of math! Click here and find your next lesson!
About TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Director Nick Hilditch
- Animator Nick Hilditch
- Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez
