Question

1. Consider this division sentence: -3 1/3 ÷ 2 1/2 = ?

a. What is the rule for dividing signed numbers?
b. Use the rule to calculate the quotient. Show your work.

2. Calculate each quotient and show your work.

a. -2 1/8 ÷ -4 1/4 b. 4.03 ÷ -3.1 c. -5/6 ÷ -2 1/7 d. - 20.582 ÷ -4.1

Answer 1

a. The rule for dividing signed numbers is:

Two numbers with different signs have a quotient that is negative.
Two numbers with the same signs have a quotient that is positive.

b.
`-3(1)/(3) / 2(1)/(2) \\\\-(10)/(3) / (5)/(2)\\\\-(10)/(3) * (2)/(5) = -(2)/(3)* (2)/(1) = -(4)/(3) = \boxed{-1(1)/(3)}`

Question #2

a.
`-(17)/(8) / (-17)/(4) = (-17)/(8) * (-4)/(17) = \boxed{(1)/(2)}`

b.
`4.03 / -3.1 = 4.03* (1)/(-3.1) =\boxed{ -1.3}`

c.
`(-5)/(6) / (-15)/(7) = (-5)/(6)* (7)/(-15) =\boxed {\frac {7}{18}}`

d.
`-20.582/ -4.1 = \bpxed {5.02}`