Elementary Algebra

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285194055
ISBN 13: 978-1-28519-405-9

Chapter 7 - Algebraic Fractions - 7.2 - Multiplying and Dividing Algebraic Fractions - Problem Set 7.2 - Page 285: 5

Answer

-17/19

Work Step by Step

We can never divide fractions. Rather, we must flip the numerator and the denominator for the second fraction listed and then multiply. When we multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators of the fractions by each other and the denominators of the fractions by each other. Thus, we obtain that this expression is equal to: $\frac{17 \times -9}{19 \times 9}=-153/171$ In order to simplify fractions, we want to cancel out anything that is in both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction. In order to do this, we look for common factors for the values in the numerator and the denominator of the fraction. 153 and 171 have a common factor of 9, so we simplify: $-153/171=-(17*9)/(9*19)=-17/19$
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