Question

How do you evaluate `\frac{-1}{4}\times \frac{8}{7}`?

Answer 1

`(-1)/4 xx 8/7 = (-2)/7`

Explanation:

When multiplying two fractions, all you need to do is multiply the two numerators together to make the new numerator, and multiply the two denominators together to make the new denominator.

`-1xx8 = -8`
`4xx7 = 28`

`(-1)/4 xx 8/7 = (-8)/28`

Then we can simplify this answer by diving both the numerator and the denominator by `4`.

`-8-:4 = -2`
`28-:4=7`

so `(-1)/4 xx 8/7 = (-2)/7`

This can't be simplified any further as `-2` and `7` have no common factors.

Answer 2

`-2/7`

Explanation:

`color(blue)"cancel common factors "" on the numerators/denominators"`

`rArr(-1)/cancel(4)^1xxcancel(8)^2/7`

`"multiply together remaining values on"`
`"numerators/denominators"`

`=(-1xx2)/(1xx7)=-2/7larrcolor(blue)"in simplest form"`

`"a fraction is in "color(blue)"simplest form"" when no other"`
`"factor but 1 divides into the numerator/denominator"`