Answer:
-1 3/7
Step-by-step explanation:
If your calculator doesn't do this directly, you can convert each of the numbers to an improper fraction and do the fraction division.
2 1/2 = 5/2
-1 3/4 = -7/4
Then the division is ...
(5/2)/(-7/4) = -(10/4)/(7/4) = -10/7 = -1 3/7 . . . . . using same denominators
(5/2)/(-7/4) = -(5/2)(4/7) = -10/7 = -1 3/7 . . . . . . using "invert and multiply"
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<em>Comment on dividing fractions</em>
You can always divide fractions using the "invert and multiply" technique. The quantity inverted is the denominator. That is, dividing by a value is the same as multiplying by the inverse of that value:
(a/b) / (c/d) = (a/b) × (d/c) = (ad)/(bc)
It is often useful to cancel common factors from numerator and denominator before doing the multiplication.
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When the two fractions being divided have the same denominator, their quotient is the ratio of their numerators:
(a/b) / (c/b) = a/c
Sometimes, it is easy to adjust the denominators to be the same value, making this method of division the one of choice.
