Question #02cd1

1 Answer
Jun 17, 2017

#(-1)/4# means "rise" down #1#, "run" right #4#.

#1/(-4)# means "rise" up #1#, "run" left #4#.

Explanation:

You can look at this in two ways. The negative sign can either be attached to the numerator or the denominator.

If you (arbitrarily) decide the negative is attached to the numerator, then "rise" (i.e., moving downward) a distance of #-1#, followed by a positive run (to the right) a distance of #4#.

On the other hand, if you decide the negative is attached to the denominator, then "rise" (moving upwared) a distance of #+1#, followed by a negative run (to the left) a distance of #4#.