Question

Multiply: (-12/25)(-10/16)

Answer 1

I need help.

Answer 2

both numbers are negative
will the answer be positive or negative?

Answer 3

positive.

Answer 4

ok right, so we can ignore the signs because we know that
we have \[\frac{12}{25}\times \frac{10}{16}\]
before multiplying do you see any common factors top and bottom?

Answer 5

for example, what number goes in to both 10 and 25 evenly?

Answer 6

5

Answer 7

right so we can cancel a 5 top and bottom as a start \[\frac{12}{\cancel{25}^5}\times \frac{\cancel{10}^2}{16}=\frac{12\times 2}{5\times 16}\]

Answer 8

how about 12 and 16? what is the largest number that divides both of those evenly?

Answer 9

4

Answer 10

ok so we can cancel some more \[\frac{\cancel{12}^3\times 2}{5\times\cancel{ 16}^4}=\frac{3\times 2}{5\times 4}\]

Answer 11

and now we can still cancel even more

Answer 12

because 2 goes in to both 2 and 4 evenly

Answer 13

yes.

Answer 14

cancel those, and you are left only with \[\frac{3}{5\times 2}\]