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

Feb 9, 2018

$- \frac{2}{3}$ times 12 would be, $\frac{- 2}{3} \times 12 = - 8$

it wouldn't be $\frac{- 2}{-} 3$ as that is equivalent to $\frac{2}{3}$.

-Sahar.

Feb 10, 2018

$- \frac{2}{3} \times 12 = - 8$

Explanation:

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

Any whole number is understood to have a denominator of $1$; $n = \frac{n}{1}$.

$- \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{12}{1}$

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

$- \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{12}{1} =$

$- \frac{2 \times 12}{3 \times 1} =$

$- \frac{24}{3}$

Simplify $- \frac{24}{3}$ by dividing the numerator and denominator by $3$.

$- \frac{24 \div 3}{3 \div 3} =$

$- \frac{8}{1} =$

$- 8$.

Feb 13, 2018

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

Explanation:

The fraction $- \frac{2}{3}$ can be written in $3$ ways which all mean the same thing:

$- \frac{2}{3} = \frac{- 2}{3} = \frac{2}{- 3}$

As a decimal they would all give the answer $- 0.66666 \ldots \ldots$

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

$- \frac{2}{3} \times 12 = - 8$

$\frac{- 2}{3} \times 12 = - 8$

$\frac{2}{- 3} \times 12 = - 8$

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

You can also think of it as $\frac{- 2 \times 12}{3} = \frac{- 24}{3} = - 8$

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