Question

Negative 5 and one-fourth divided by three-halves = negative StartFraction 21 over 4 EndFraction divided by three-halves = (Negative StartFraction 21 over 4 EndFraction) (Three-halves) = Negative StartFraction 24 over 6 EndFraction = negative 4 What errors did Esmerelda make?

Answer 1

Esmeralda did not use the reciprocal of the divisor

Explanation:

Three-halves = 3/2

Correct calculation

-5 1/4 ÷ 3/2

= -21/4 ÷ 3/2

= - (21/4) × 2/3

= -7 / 2

Esmeralda's calculation

-5 1/4 ÷ 3/2

= -21/4 ÷ 3/2

= (-21/4)(3/2)

= -63 / 8

Answer 2

Esmeralda did not use the reciprocal of the divisor

Explanation:

Three-halves = 3/2

Correct calculation

-5 1/4 ÷ 3/2

= -21/4 ÷ 3/2

= - (21/4) × 2/3

= -7 / 2

Esmeralda's calculation

-5 1/4 ÷ 3/2

= -21/4 ÷ 3/2

= (-21/4)(3/2)

= -63 / 8