So, if the numerator is positive but the denominators negative is it still negative???

Question

So, if the numerator is positive but the denominator is negative but the absolute value of the numbers is the same it would still simplify to negative 1???

Answer 1

If the negative sign is inside the absolute value bars, it basically doesn't exist. If it's outside, it makes the value inside the bars the opposite (negative) of what's inside.

 

So:  |-4|  / |4| is basically 4/4, which is 1, but

 

-|4| / |4| is -4/4, which is negative 1.

 

Hope that helps...

 

M

Answer 2

yes...assume x>0, so that |x|=x...

we are examining what x/(-x) equals... Pick your favorite number for x, that is bigger than 0...

 

I tend to use 1, and 2 a lot in this situation, but \pi and e (the natural base of the logarithm) work just as weak here...

 

Evaluate what 2/(-2) is on your calculator...is it negative 1?