With #-2/3# times 12, is the answer positive or negative?

3 Answers

#-2/3# times 12 would be, #(-2)/3 xx 12=-8#

it wouldn't be #(-2)/-3# as that is equivalent to #2/3#.

-Sahar.

Feb 10, 2018

#-2/3xx12=-8#

Explanation:

The question gives you the process. Any time a question asks for #x# times #y#, it means to multiply them. #x xxy=xy#
"Times" means to multiply.

Any whole number is understood to have a denominator of #1#; #n=n/1#.

#-2/3xx12/1#

When multiplying fractions, multiply the numerators across and the denominators across.

#-2/3xx12/1=#

#-(2xx12)/(3xx1)=#

#-24/3#

Simplify #-24/3# by dividing the numerator and denominator by #3#.

#-(24-:3)/(3-:3)=#

#-8/1=#

#-8#.

Feb 13, 2018

There is only one negative number, the answer will be negative,

Explanation:

The fraction #-2/3# can be written in #3# ways which all mean the same thing:

#-2/3 = (-2)/3 = 2/(-3)#

As a decimal they would all give the answer #-0.66666......#

There is only one negative sign, but it can be placed anywhere.

#-2/3 xx 12 = -8#

#(-2)/3 xx 12 = -8#

#2/(-3) xx 12 = -8#

The division is implied in the fraction, there is a division by #3#

You can also think of it as #(-2xx12)/3 =(-24)/3 =-8#

If there were two negative signs, the answer would be positive.