Question

What is the key thing you have to remember when multiplying or dividing by a negative number in inequalities? you cannot multiply or divide by a negative you must get a negative answer you must switch the direction of the sign you cannot get a negative answer

Answer 1

The key thing to remember when multiplying or dividing by a negative number in inequalities is that you must switch the direction of the inequality sign.

Step-by-step explanation:

When multiplying or dividing by a negative number in inequalities, the key thing to remember is that you must switch the direction of the sign. This is a critical step because inequalities show the relationship between two expressions. Here are some examples to demonstrate this concept:

• If you have an inequality like -2x > 6, and you decide to divide both sides by -2 to solve for x, you would get x < -3 after reversing the inequality sign.
• Similarly, if you have an inequality like 4 - 3y ≤ 12 and you subtract 4 from both sides and then divide by -3, the inequality sign changes direction, resulting in y ≥ -8/3.

It's important not to confuse this rule with regular multiplication or division where signs are determined by the rules of arithmetic (such as two negatives making a positive).