Final answer:
Division is defined as finding how many times one number is contained within another, and it's crucial in maintaining equality in equations when applied correctly to both sides. Examples of dividing quantities and using division in scientific notation highlight the importance of understanding the division process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that defines division, assuming y does not equal 0, is 'C) Division is the process of finding how many times one number is contained within another.' This means that when you divide a number by another, you are actually determining the quantity of times the divisor fits into the dividend.
For example, when multiplying or dividing both sides of an equation by the same number, you are maintaining the equality. Multiplication or division by the same number on both sides of an equation does not change equality. It's important to remember that multiplication or division should apply to every term on either side of the equality. For instance, if we have 1 yd = 3 ft and we divide both sides by 2, we maintain the equality, thus ending up with 0.5 yd = 1.5 ft.
In scientific notation, multiplication and division also follow specific rules. When dividing, we simplify the expression by dividing the coefficients and subtracting the exponents, resulting in the quotient expressed with the correct scientific precision. This illustrates the fundamental relationship between multiplication, which involves increasing quantities, and division, which involves proportionally reducing them.