One-half, often written as the fraction 1/2, represents a quantity that is divided into two equal parts. It indicates that one part is taken from a total of two equal parts. For example, if you have a pizza cut into two equal slices, taking one slice means you have one-half of the pizza. In everyday life, one-half can be seen in various situations, such as sharing food or measuring ingredients. If a recipe calls for one-half cup of sugar, it means you need to use half of a full cup. This concept is fundamental in understanding fractions and division.