Question

Which fraction represents the solution to -7/12 divided by (-3/21)?

a) -4/12
b) -1/12
c) 1/12
d) 4 1/12

Answer 1

The division of -7/12 by (-3/21) simplifies to 49/12, which is an improper fraction, and as a mixed number, it is 4 1/12. This corresponds to answer choice (d).

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the division of two fractions, negative seven twelfths divided by negative three twenty-firsts, we need to multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor. The reciprocal of -3/21 is -21/3. The operation becomes:

-7/12 × (-21/3) = (-7 × -21) / (12 × 3)

Now, multiply the numerators and the denominators:

(-7 × -21) = 147
(12 × 3) = 36

Therefore, the fraction becomes 147/36, which simplifies to:

147 ÷ 3 = 49
36 ÷ 3 = 12

So, the simplified fraction is 49/12. Converting this improper fraction into a mixed number gives:

49 ÷ 12 = 4 remainder 1, so 49/12 is the same as 4 1/12. This corresponds to answer choice (d).