Quarter in Math – Definition with Examples

Mathematics is not just a subject of units and numbers. Math concepts are regularly applied in our daily lives. We don’t even realize how mathematical laws rule everything we see in our surroundings.

Today, we will discuss an interesting topic: a quarter in math.

A quarter is a mathematical fraction frequently used while measuring or calculating portion, time, money, etc.

What Is a Quarter in Maths?

Let’s look at the quarter definition in math.

A quarter can be explained as one part of four equal parts. If you take one whole unit, it is made up of four quarters.

A quarter is represented by using fractions in mathematics.

In mathematical terms, a quarter fraction is the division of 1 whole into 4 equal parts, where 1 denotes the part that is referred to and 4 represents the number of parts into which the whole has been divided.

In numerical form, it is written as ¼.

Let’s take an example to understand what’s a quarter in numbers.

For example, to find the quarter of 8 peaches, you need to divide them into 4 equal parts.

Each part will have 2 peaches. A quarter is what each equal part represents. 

So, the quarter of 8 is 2.

Using Quarter in Various Forms

A quarter in math can be used to represent various things:

• Time, such as a quarter of an hour. You can divide 1 hour, that is 60 minutes, by quarter:

There are 15 minutes in one quarter. Therefore, “quarter to 4” or “quarter past 4” denotes the time to be 3:45 and 4:15, respectively.

• The year, such as a quarter of a year. You can divide 1 year, that is 12 months, by 4 (a quarter). This means each quarter includes 3 months.
  
  • Quarter 1 – January 1 to March 31
  • Quarter 2 – April 1 to June 30
  • Quarter 3 – July 1 to September 30
  • Quarter 4 – October 1 to December 31

• Money, such as a quarter of a dollar. 100 cents make 1 dollar. So, a quarter of a dollar would be 25 cents.

Fun Fact!

• The term quarter is also a name used for one of McDonald’s popular burgers, the “Quarter Pounder.” The burger contains a patty that weighs ¼ pound in its precooked state, which is the reason behind this name.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Write the quarter of 32 and state how many 4s are in the number 32?

Solution:

$32/4 = 8$

or,

$1/2$$\times 32 =16$

$1/2$$\times 16 = 8$

Example 2: Calculate the quarter of 68.

Solution: 

$1/4$$\times 68 = 17$

Example 3: Sunny has a quarter of 48 muffins, and Harry has half of 24 muffins. Find out who has more muffins.

Solution:

Quantity of muffins Sunny has$ = 1/4$$\times 48 = 12$

Quantity of muffins Harry has  $= 1/2$$\times 24 = 12$

Therefore, both Sunny and Harry have an equal number of muffins, i.e., 12 muffins.

Practice Problems

Frequently Asked Questions