Solve the Expression: Finding the Correct Operator in -53 ? +3 > 0

Question

Insert the compatible sign for the following expression:

-53:?:+3>0

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Complete the unknown
00:05 Let's assume the unknown is positive
00:14 Negative divided by positive is always negative
00:25 Accordingly, the answer would be less than 0 so it doesn't fit
00:32 Therefore the unknown must be negative
00:36 Negative divided by negative is always positive
00:41 Positive divided by positive is always positive
00:44 Therefore the unknown must be negative
00:47 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's begin by observing the exercise on the left side whilst paying particular attention to the plus and minus signs.

The exercise looks like this:

:?:+= -:\text{?:}+=

If we solve the equation from left to right, we can observe that we first divide a negative number by an unidentified integer:

:? -:\text{?}

Our result needs to be greater than zero, therefore our first operation must give us a positive number, so that in the final operation the resulting number will be positive.

Therefore:

::+= -:-:+=

+:+=+ +:+=+

+ > 0

Therefore the answer is 14 -\frac{1}{4}

Answer

14 -\frac{1}{4}