Beginner Help Pls!

I found this qt on the ground next to it’s mama cactus and knowing the bare minimum about cactus propagation I felt like I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try! So far I’ve found out that it’s a Barbary fig or prickly pear cactus and the propagation process seems pretty straight forward. I’ve seen different ways of people doing it though and I don’t know what’s best?

I found it on Friday and left it to dry, I accidentally left it at work but came to find out it needed to dry out a bit anyway, but now I’m wondering if I should remove the piece that is cracked or not. Someone said I should but I read something online that said I needed the meristems on the bottom to be able to take root (with the paddle standing). I also saw a woman on with a bunch of the same petals propagating them flat and the roots came out of the back of the paddle (I think some might’ve already started??)

Any tips and info would be much appreciated!!! I haven’t had the best luck with succulents and want to do right by this baby!