What is the answer and how is this solved? I think the answer is 2/3? Anyways if a=3 and b=-5 the value of -b-a over -a =

Question

Need help with answer and the steps on how to solve this. I think its 2/3

Answer 1

(-b-a)/(-a) has the same value as (b+a)/a.*

 

If a=3 and b=-5, we get (-5+3)/(3) = -2/3...the answer is negative two thirds.

 

*  This simplification comes about by multiplying both numerator & denominator by negative 1; multiplying (-1)/(-1) is equivalent to multiplying by one!

Answer 2

What is the value of:

      ( - b - a ) / (-a)        ?

 

This is:

      ( - (b) - (a) ) / ( - (a) )

 

Plug in values of a and b:

      ( - (-5) - (3) ) / ( - (3) )

Distribute the "-":

      ( 5 - 3) / (-3)

      ( 2 ) / (-3)

     - 2/3