Ok the question is 5-3 x (-2)-16 over 6 x (4-12) I already know the answer, i was just going through the sum, the answer is -5 over -48 which i understand but then then it says = to just 5 over 48. What is the reason for no - anymore?
-
When you have a negative number in the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) of a fraction, the answer becomes a positive fraction. This is a mathematical rule and will always be true.
Changing the answer from -5/-48 to 5/48 is known as simplifying the fraction. In effect, the two negatives cancel each other out. As someone mentioned above, you can also think of it as multiplying both 5 and 48 by negative one (-1), if you find that helpful. If not, that's okay too. The main thing is to remember that it is just one of those math rules that will always be true, even if it's slightly hard to explain. I hope this helped.
You can learn more about this and other fraction rules here: http://www.mathwords.com/f/fraction_rules.htm
Edit: Yes, a negative over a negative always equals a positive. Like in your example, -8/-10 will always equal 8/10.
Changing the answer from -5/-48 to 5/48 is known as simplifying the fraction. In effect, the two negatives cancel each other out. As someone mentioned above, you can also think of it as multiplying both 5 and 48 by negative one (-1), if you find that helpful. If not, that's okay too. The main thing is to remember that it is just one of those math rules that will always be true, even if it's slightly hard to explain. I hope this helped.
You can learn more about this and other fraction rules here: http://www.mathwords.com/f/fraction_rules.htm
Edit: Yes, a negative over a negative always equals a positive. Like in your example, -8/-10 will always equal 8/10.
-
(-5)/(-48) = 5/48
indeed there is an arithmetic property about fractions which says that
multiplying or dividing both numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number (other than zero), the new fraction is equivalent to the first one
like when simplifying 6/12 =1/2 we divide by 6
(-5)/(-48) = 5/48 because we multiply by (-1) both num and den
indeed there is an arithmetic property about fractions which says that
multiplying or dividing both numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number (other than zero), the new fraction is equivalent to the first one
like when simplifying 6/12 =1/2 we divide by 6
(-5)/(-48) = 5/48 because we multiply by (-1) both num and den
-
A - divided by a - equals a plus.
-
5+6-16=-5
6(-8)=-48
simple theorem -*-=+
-/- = + -5/-48 = 5/48
6(-8)=-48
simple theorem -*-=+
-/- = + -5/-48 = 5/48