OT: Simple Math Question

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,347
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OK, so, my Niece is staying with us for a while and taking pre algebra - She has a number of fraction equations to do and when she does them, it just isn't computing in my old mind and she can't walk through the steps and seems she is just giving answers she was giving- BTW- her teachers are doing that a lot. Giving quizzes and answers

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 = 23/798

Is this actually the correct answer and how do you get to that answer?
 

Tango Two

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 21, 2001
57,925
37,239
78
OK, so, my Niece is staying with us for a while and taking pre algebra - She has a number of fraction equations to do and when she does them, it just isn't computing in my old mind and she can't walk through the steps and seems she is just giving answers she was giving- BTW- her teachers are doing that a lot. Giving quizzes and answers

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 = 23/798

Is this actually the correct answer and how do you get to that answer?


I think this is it:

Convert to decimal

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 =

2/7 = .2857

1/4 = .25

-3.2857 / 1.25 = -2.6285
 

hoquat63

All-Conference
Mar 17, 2005
9,135
4,432
45
Division of fractions
1 convert whole number to a fraction
2 invert and multiply
(Is that a dash or a minus sign in front, of a minus your answer should me a minus)
Will sit down and get pencil and paper to do calculation. Let you know in a couple of minutes.
 

CJ1987

Junior
Oct 21, 2010
544
325
63
I get -92/77, I'll try to explain:

-3 2/7 equals -23/7

-23/7 divided by 11/4 OR -23/7 times 4/11

multiply across numerator and denominator I get -92/77, not sure if it's right
 

hoquat63

All-Conference
Mar 17, 2005
9,135
4,432
45
Division of fractions
1 convert whole number to a fraction
2 invert and multiply
(Is that a dash or a minus sign in front, of a minus your answer should me a minus)
Will sit down and get pencil and paper to do calculation. Let you know in a couple of minutes.
3 2/7 =23/7, 1 1/4=5/4
So 23/7 x 4/5 = 92/35
 

red sail

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2007
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- 3 2/7 = Negative 3= -(21/7 + 2/7) = -23/7
1 1/4 = 4/4 + 1/4 = 5/4

-23/7 Divided 5/4 = -23/7 x 4/5 = (forgot the Negative sign) -92/35
 
Last edited:

CJ1987

Junior
Oct 21, 2010
544
325
63
- 3 2/7 = Negative 3= 21/7 + 2/7 = 23/7
1 1/4 = 4/4 + 1/4 = 5/4

23/7 Divided 5/4 = 23/7 x 4/5 = 92/35
11/4 cannot equal 5/4

I think my math is correct but I may have screwed up the positive and negative
 

red sail

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2007
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11/4 cannot equal 5/4

I think my math is correct but I may have screwed up the positive and negative

I may be wrong but I read that as 1 1/4 (one and a quarter). its probably been 30 years since i've had algebra and my kids would know the answer right away but I think my math is right
 

CJ1987

Junior
Oct 21, 2010
544
325
63
wow, my bad, I thought it was 11/4 not 1 and 1/4.......now I have to redo all my work, oh well.
 
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ScarletR97*

Junior
Aug 3, 2010
439
394
63
I think this is it:

Convert to decimal

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 =

2/7 = .2857

1/4 = .25

-3.2857 / 1.25 = -2.6285
You are correct and in fraction it would be - 2 5/8. I did the math and agree with you and for the heck of it I asked my Google Assistant and she had the same answer as well.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,347
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I just went through her assignments better and see they gave her an example and it follows your steps
since the fist number is a negative, I am thinking it may be
-3 2/7 divided by 1 ¼

Negative 3 = negative 21/7 + 2/7 = negative 23/7

1 ¼ = 4/4 + ¼ = 5/4

-23/7 divided by 5/4 =

-23/7 x 4/5

-92/35
 

lne001

Junior
Nov 7, 2002
567
308
0
Here is my attempt.

1) Find common denominator -92/28 divided by 77/28
2) Invert and multiply -92/28 times 28/77 = -2576/2156
3) Simplify fraction -1 105/539

The answer must be approximately -1 and a fraction since -3+ divided by 2+ = -1 and a fraction, so this answer appears to be in the ballpark at least.

Not bad, I think, for a 1969 RC poli sci major. 😄
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,347
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Here is my attempt.

1) Find common denominator -92/28 divided by 77/28
2) Invert and multiply -92/28 times 28/77 = -2576/2156
3) Simplify fraction -1 105/539

The answer must be approximately -1 and a fraction since -3+ divided by 2+ = -1 and a fraction, so this answer appears to be in the ballpark at least.

Not bad, I think, for a 1969 RC poli sci major. 😄
that was the direction I originally thought with finding the common denominator but she was telling me they dont learn that way...
And she is lazy...I am working harder on this than she is.

I have been listening to her teachers online as I now have to share my office with her and they really just give out answers...It seems more like teachers wanting to have a class full of good grades rather than really teach and make sure the students understand how to get the answer. Catching the damn fish for them...
 

RutHut_rivals

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Aug 11, 2017
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Dude, I know you use this board because you're too lazy to do research on your next vehicle or where you might want to move. But now 4th grade math? C'mon man! 😜
 
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yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,347
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Dude, I know you use this board because you're too lazy to do research on your next vehicle or where you might want to move. But now 4th grade math? C'mon man! 😜
hey, the board has actually been a wealth of knowledge. I lean toward experience rather than what I read.

I do have to laugh a little though...we are all experienced, mostly college educated and 4th grade math has us not 100% sure of our answers. lol And it is 7th grade math hahahaha
 

lne001

Junior
Nov 7, 2002
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that was the direction I originally thought with finding the common denominator but she was telling me they dont learn that way...

While they may not learn that way, there is only one correct answer to that problem, and it is not 23/798.
 

RobotHunter

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May 8, 2015
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Here is my attempt.

1) Find common denominator -92/28 divided by 77/28
2) Invert and multiply -92/28 times 28/77 = -2576/2156
3) Simplify fraction -1 105/539

The answer must be approximately -1 and a fraction since -3+ divided by 2+ = -1 and a fraction, so this answer appears to be in the ballpark at least.

Not bad, I think, for a 1969 RC poli sci major. 😄
You don't need a common denominator to divide fractions only to add and subtract.
 

fsg2_rivals

Heisman
Apr 3, 2018
10,881
13,184
0
Division of fractions
1 convert whole number to a fraction
2 invert and multiply
(Is that a dash or a minus sign in front, of a minus your answer should me a minus)
Will sit down and get pencil and paper to do calculation. Let you know in a couple of minutes.

This is how I (very vaguely)
remember doing it.
hey, the board has actually been a wealth of knowledge. I lean toward experience rather than what I read.

I do have to laugh a little though...we are all experienced, mostly college educated and 4th grade math has us not 100% sure of our answers. lol And it is 7th grade math hahahaha

27 posts ... have you gotten a final answer yet, lol?

I started to try ...then saw the negative and threw in the towel.
 

ScarletDave

Heisman
Oct 7, 2010
34,595
15,347
85
If it is truly:
-3 and 2/7 , divided by: 1 and 1/4, then the answer is:
-23/7 / 5/4 = -23/7 * 4/5 = -115/35 * 28/35 = -3220/1225 = -644/245
 
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Tango Two

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 21, 2001
57,925
37,239
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I teach 6th grade math. Literally taught this today. Multiply by the reciprocal.



So this is wrong?



Convert to decimal

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 =

2/7 = .2857

1/4 = .25

-3.2857 / 1.25 = -2.6285
 

red sail

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2007
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Tango. you didnt prove your answer with fractions, if I was a teacher I would probably mark you wrong. QED ha
I think the point of working out equations for kids, is to prove they understand the process and not pull out their calculators like you did.
 

Tango Two

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 21, 2001
57,925
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Tango. you didnt prove your answer with fractions, if I was a teacher I would probably mark you wrong. QED ha
I think the point of working out equations for kids, is to prove they understand the process and not pull out their calculators like you did.

I’m just asking if I did it right and if that’s the right answer
 

lne001

Junior
Nov 7, 2002
567
308
0
I’m just asking if I did it right and if that’s the right answer

The correct answer, I think, is -2 154/245. Your answer of -2.6285 stops at the fourth decimal, while 154/245 actually equals 0.6285714285714286 etc. The correct answer must be a fraction to be precise.

Of course I've been wrong once on this already, so be warned.
 

TheHandOfChaos

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Oct 9, 2002
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OK, so, my Niece is staying with us for a while and taking pre algebra - She has a number of fraction equations to do and when she does them, it just isn't computing in my old mind and she can't walk through the steps and seems she is just giving answers she was giving- BTW- her teachers are doing that a lot. Giving quizzes and answers

-3 2/7 divided by 1 1/4 = 23/798

Is this actually the correct answer and how do you get to that answer?

-((3x7)+2)/7 * 4/5 (reciprocal of 5/4) =

-23/7 * 4/5 =

-92/35 =

-2 22/35