Question

Simplify (3/20)(-5/9) ?

Answer 1

`-(1)/(6)`

Explanation:

So, first you would normally solve the problem.

1)
`(3)/(10)` x
`(-5)/(9)` =
`(3*-5)/(10*9)` =
`-(15)/(90)`

Now, you have to simplify this fraction.

When you simplify fractions, you find the common factor that the numerator and denominator share. Then, you divide that factor from the numerator and denominator to end up with the simplified fraction.

Ex:
`(2)/(4)=(2*1)/(2*2) = (1)/(2)`

What I did here was, I realized that the greatest common factor (GCF) between 2 and 4 was 2, I divided it from the numerator and denominator.

But in some cases the fraction is already in its simplest form, when the only common factor they share is 1.

Now it's your turn: What common factor(s) do 15 and 90 share?

15= 3×5

90= 3×5×6

The common factors that 15 and 90 share are 3 and 5, and when you multiply 3 and 5, you get 15, so their GCF or greatest common factor is 15. Now let's simplify the fraction.

`-(15)/(90)=-(15/15)/(90/15)=-(1)/(6)`

And so the answer would be
`-(1)/(6)`.

I hope this helps.

Note: * is the multiplication sign and / is the division sign.

Answer 2

`(3)/(10) * ( - (5)/(9) ) = - ( (3 * 5)/(10 * 9) ) = - (1)/(6 ) \\`