Question

Divide. 8 2/5÷(−2 1/5)

Answer 1

The answer would be -42/11 (or -3.81 repeating). First, you turn each mixed number into an improper fraction. 8 2/5 becomes 42/5 and -2 1/5 becomes -11/5. You then use the reciprocal method to divide (you multiply the first fraction by the second fraction, but the second fraction must be flipped). You’d do 42/5 x -5/11 which gives you -210/55 which simplifies to -42/11.

Answer 2

we'll first off convert the mixed fractions to "improper", and then divide,


`\bf \stackrel{mixed}{8(2)/(5)}\implies \cfrac{8\cdot 5+2}{5}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{42}{5}} \\\\\\ \stackrel{mixed}{2(1)/(5)}\implies \cfrac{2\cdot 5+1}{5}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{11}{5}}\\\\ -------------------------------\\\\ \cfrac{42}{5}/ \cfrac{-11}{5}\implies \cfrac{42}{\underline{5}}\cdot \cfrac{\underline{5}}{-11}\implies \cfrac{42}{-11}\implies -\cfrac{42}{11}`