Question

multiply and simplify(-5/12)(1/4)(-3/7)

Answer 1

\[(\frac{ -5 }{ 12 })(\frac{1}{4})(\frac{-3}{7}) = \frac{ (-5)(1)(-3) }{ (12)(4)(7) }\]

Answer 2

Just multiply everything on the top, multiply everything on the bottom, and then if reduce the fraction if you can.

Answer 3

do I multiply them 1 by 1

Answer 4

Sure, on top, you have (-5) x (1) x (-3)

So, (-5) x (1) is just (-5).... then (-5) x (-3) = 15

Can you do the bottom?

Answer 5

nope im lost #sorry

Answer 6

is it 15/336

Answer 7

yes, that's right... but you can reduce it further... divide the top and bottom by 3.

Answer 8

can you show me

Answer 9

15 / 336 = (15/3) / (336/3) divide numerator and denominator by 3
= 5 / 112


It's just like you can reduce 2/8 by realizing it's the same as 1/4... you divide top and bottom by 2 to get 1/4.

Here, both numerator and denominator can be divided evenly by 3.

15 5 x 3 5
-- = ------- = --
336 112 x 3 112

Answer 10

how did you know it was by 3

Answer 11

Well, I wanted to reduce it if possible... it looked "too big"... so I knew the factors of 15 were 3 and 5. When I looked at 336, I knew it wasn't divisible by 5, since it ends in 6.

I wasn't sure 336 was divisible by 3, but I tried it, and it worked evenly.

Answer 12

If I had tried 3 and 5 and neither factor would divide evenly into 336, we would have just needed to leave it as "15/336"

You can't always reduce, but if you can, you should.

Answer 13

thanks

Answer 14

you're welcome... hope it helped :)