The result when a number is divided by 2 is equal to the result when that same number is divided by 4. What is that number?

Please explain?
I know the answer is 0 but I'm not understanding HOW the answer is 0.

Question

The result when a number is divided by 2 is equal to the result when that same number is divided by 4. What is that number?

Please explain?
I know the answer is 0 but I'm not understanding HOW the answer is 0.

australopithecus · Answer

set up the equality
x/2 = x/4

australopithecus · Answer

and solve for it you will see the answer is zero

australopithecus · Answer

Also it is pretty easy to see the only number that makes this equality actually equal is 0

rational · Answer

x/2 = x/4

x/2 - x/4 = 0

2x - x = 0

x = 0

rational · Answer

its easy to rush to cancel x the moment you see it both sides (from personal experience :P ) but you should NEVER cancel a variable both sides without fully knowing that it never equals 0

anonymous · Answer

I think I understand...thank you both.