# How do you simplify \frac { - 4( - 9) } { 7- ( - 5) }?

Apr 10, 2018

(−4(−9))/(7−(−5)) simplifies to $3$

#### Explanation:

Simplify

(−4(−9))/(7−(−5))

1) Clear the top parentheses by distributing the $- 4$

(36)/(7−(−5))

2) Clear the bottom parentheses by distributing the minus sign
(Note: The $7$ is an addend that you add after you do all the multiplications.)

$\frac{36}{7 + 5}$

3) Add the numbers in the denominator

$\frac{36}{12}$

4) Reduce to lowest terms

$3$ $\leftarrow$ answer

Apr 10, 2018

#### Explanation:

$\frac{- 4 \left(- 9\right)}{7 - \left(- 5\right)}$

First multiply $- 4$ and $- 9$ on numerator:

$= \frac{36}{7 - \left(- 5\right)}$

Then subtract $- 5$ from $7$:

$= \frac{36}{12}$

Finally simply fraction:

$= 3$

Apr 10, 2018

$\frac{- 4 \left(- 9\right)}{7 - \left(- 5\right)} = 3$

#### Explanation:

When dealing with multiple plus and minus signs in addition or subtraction, it is important to remember that two of the the same sign will always be addition and two different signs will always be subtraction.

When multiplying or dividing negative and positive numbers, remember that two positives or two negatives make a positive number while one positive and one negative make a negative number.

$\frac{- 4 \left(- 9\right)}{7 - \left(- 5\right)}$
$= \frac{36}{7 + 5}$
$= \frac{36}{12}$
$= 3$