How can you divide a number by .5 and get a higher number

Please HELP! Pre-Algebra is so confusing! (sorry to bother anyone!)

Because 0.5 is the same thing as 1/2. Dividing by a number smaller than 1 is the same as multiplying by a number larger than 1.

Dividing by 1/2 is the same thing as multiplying by 2.
How many half gallons are there in one gallon?

Start with 6 apples. To divide by 2, collect the apples into groups of 2 and count the groups. You get 3 groups so 6 divided by 2 is 3. Which is less than 6.

To divide by 1/2, collect the apples into groups of 1/2 and count the groups. In other words, split each apple in half and count the halves. You get 12 halves. So 6 divided by 1/2 is 12. Which is bigger than 6.

Mathematically, x/y is defined as x * (1/y).

So 6/2 = 6 * (1/2) = 6/2 = 3
6 / (1/2) = 6 * (2/1) = 12/1 = 12