C. Because you have to look for the greatest number. Disregard whether it is negative or positive. Since you are looking for steepness. That does not matter.
Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Three and a half divided by seven-eighth equals seven over two times eight over seven equals fifty over fourteen equals four
Use inverse operations and subtract 3 from 9 which is -12 then divide -12 by 6 which is -2
-9=3+6x
-3 -3
-12=6x
-12/6=6x/6
-2=x