Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Practice Exam

What is the outcome of dividing zero by any non-zero number?

1. Undefined

2. Zero

3. One

4. Infinity

The correct answer is: Zero

When zero is divided by any non-zero number, the outcome is zero. This is because division can be understood as the process of determining how many times a number (the denominator) fits into another number (the numerator). In this case, since zero is being divided, we are asking how many times a non-zero number can fit into zero. Since no matter how many times you take away a positive or negative number, you can never reach a positive number—zero remains the result. Thus, dividing zero by any non-zero number will always yield zero. This operates within the basic principles of arithmetic and reinforces that zero divided by any number is zero, while other options, such as undefined or infinity, do not apply in this context.