algebra help

Question

Negative 12 divided by 2/3

step by step help?

Answer 1

the algebraic rule in this case is: when dividing by a fraction, simply invert the fraction, and then multiply

 

thus -12 divided by 2/3 is equal to -12 x 3/2  = -12 x 3  = -36 = -18

                                                                          2           2

 

Answer 2

If that first step is considered skipping a step, you can do it this way, using the rule that allows multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number:
 
-12          3          (-12) x (3)          -36  
------ X  -----  =   ------------   =     ------   =  -18
(2/3)        3          (2/3) x (3)            2
 

Note that the rationale for multiplying by 3/3 is to remove the 3 in the denominator of the denominator.

 

- Ben

Answer 3

-12/(2/3)

dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal

(-12)(3/2)=(-36)/2=-18, or

(-12)(3/2)=(-6)(3)=-18 (I simplified by dividing 2 into 2 and 2 into -12 before multiplying)