how do you figure out -2/n =10/6

Question

I am trying to help my son with his 7th grade math homework. 

The problem is:

-2/n us equal to 10/6 I want to learn how to figure this out so I can show my son. 

Answer 1

-2/n = 10/6

 

-2/n = 5/3

 

 This is simple problem of proportion 3 rd grade

 

   Cross multiply:

   -2( 3) = 5n

 

    n = -6/5

Answer 2

Obviously, in these kind of examples, the solution must demonstrate that both sides are equal. The strategy is to discover which number n will make the fraction equivalent.

Start with the numerators, those numbers at the top of the fractions, -2 & 10. Is there a factor of 10 that will leave us with -2?

10/-2=-5; 10/-5=-2

So -5 is the factor 10 that leaves us with -2. Now we divide 6 by that same factor:

6/-5=-1.2

Another way to do this is cross-multiplication. Multiply n by 10 & multiply -2 by 6. These two products must be equal:

-12=10n

Use basic algebra to solve for n:

-12/10=n

-1.2=n

Answer 3

Michael,

             you set up a proportion , two equal fractions or ratios. In this case- 2/N = 10/6

 

then you cross multiply -2 x 6 = 10 x N

 

which gives you- 12 = 10N

 

 

to find out what N equals divide each side of the equation by 10  so- 12/10 + 10N/10

 which  gives you -1.2 = N

 

 

so  -2/1.2 = 10/6