Solve the Equation: Finding the Value of a × (4/a)

Division by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. So $a \div \frac{4}{a}$ becomes $a \times \frac{a}{4}$. This is a fundamental rule!

Put the variable in the numerator of the fraction: $a \times \frac{a}{4} = \frac{a \times a}{4} = \frac{a^2}{4}$.

If $a = 0$, then $\frac{4}{a}$ is undefined because you can't divide by zero. The original expression only works when $a ≠ 0$.

$\frac{a^2}{4}$ is already in simplest form. You could write it as $\frac{1}{4}a^2$, but both forms are correct!

Try $a = 2$: $2 \div \frac{4}{2} = 2 \div 2 = 1$. Using our formula: $\frac{2^2}{4} = \frac{4}{4} = 1$ ✓