Question

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

Answer 1

`-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.

Answer 2

`-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`.

Answer 3

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.