Solve 38÷(-4)×12÷(-3): Sequential Operations with Negative Numbers

Question

Solve the following equation:

38:(4)12:(3)= 38:(-4)\cdot12:(-3)=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's begin by writing the two division exercises as a multiplication of two simple fractions:

(38:(4))×(12:(3))= (38:(-4))\times(12:(-3))=

384×123= \frac{38}{-4}\times\frac{12}{-3}=

Let's proceed to combine them into one exercise:

38×124×3= \frac{38\times12}{-4\times-3}=

Note that in the denominator of the fraction we are multiplying two negative numbers, therefore the result must be positive:

38×124×3= \frac{38\times12}{4\times3}=

Let's now break down the 12 in the fraction's numerator into a multiplication exercise:

38×4×34×3= \frac{38\times4\times3}{4\times3}=

Finally let's reduce the multiplication exercise 4X3 in the numerator and denominator and we should obtain the following:

38 38

Answer

38 38