Ian L.

asked • 07/29/15

42/9 = -232

 How do I figure out how to make the -232 equal the fraction on the other side.

Michael J.

Ian,
 
You must ignore my answer I gave you earlier.  The reason for this is because
 
42 / 9 = 4.66666666 ≠ -232
 
They are not equivalent to each other.
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07/29/15

Ian L.

This was a homework question and there was no option to say they were not equivalent. So how do I do it????
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07/30/15

Michael J.

It is impossible to make -232 equal the fraction because the two numbers are not equal to each other.
 
If you had a problem that said   1/2 = 8/16    ,  then you can make either number equal the other because if you reduce 8/16, you get 1/2 which is the number on the other side of the equal sign.  Suppose that wrote 8/16 a different way.  It still needs to equal 1/2.  Here is an example.
 
8(2/32) = 8(1/16) = 8/16 = 1/2
 
 
Understand the concept?
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07/30/15

Ian L.

I understand what you are saying BUT there is not an option to say they are not equal. It seems like a trick question. :-(
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07/30/15

Michael J.

You are right.  This is a trick question.  So there is no solution to this one.
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07/30/15

1 Expert Answer

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Michael J. answered • 07/29/15

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Note that -232 can be written as -232 / 1.  Now we have fractions on both sides of equation.
 
 
42 / 9 = -232 / 1
 
 
We need to find the LCD.  LCD is 9.  Multiply the numerator and the denominator on the right side of the equal sign by 9.
 
(-232 / 1) * (9 / 9) = -2088 / 9
 
 
Finally, we put a negative sign in front of this result.
 
42 / 9 = - (-2088 / 9)
 
 
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Mark M.

42 / 9 = - (-2088 / 9) ???
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07/29/15

Michael J.

Ian.
 
After taking another look at this, we cannot make -232 equal to the fraction.  The reason for this is because they are not equivalent to each other.
 
49 / 2 = 4.666666 ≠ -232.
 
If we wrote the problem as
 
42 / 9 = -232 / 1             and cross-multiply, the results will not be equal to each other.
 
 
You must ignore my solution I gave you earlier.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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07/29/15

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