## waheguru 2 years ago Is is true when one part of a fraction is negative the whole fraction becomes negative

1. waheguru

$60/-12 = 5? or -5$

2. UnkleRhaukus

$\frac {-a}b=\frac{a}{-b}=-\frac ab$

3. waheguru

This is from the equation −3(4r − 8) = −36 I am getting -5 but the real answer is 5 ?

4. UnkleRhaukus

$−3(4r − 8) = −36$ $4r − 8 = \frac{−36}{-3}$

5. UnkleRhaukus

$\frac {-a}{-b}=\frac{a}{b}$

6. waheguru

Rather than that step...

7. waheguru

Cant I distrubute the -3 and get -12r+24=-36

8. UnkleRhaukus

that way will work too

9. waheguru

So how Do I get 5 rather than -5

10. UnkleRhaukus

using the distributive method the next step would be to get the constants of one side

11. waheguru

yea I have ...

12. waheguru

-12r = 60

13. waheguru

and then ...

14. waheguru

r = 60/-12 r= -5?

15. UnkleRhaukus

-12r = -60

16. waheguru

-60?

17. waheguru

yea yout correct

18. UnkleRhaukus

you took 24 away from both sides

19. waheguru

then its r=-60/-12 and ots r=5

20. waheguru

Thanks!

21. UnkleRhaukus

that is right $\color\red\checkmark$