Question

Evaluate.

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  -1/6

Step-by-step explanation:

A suitable calculator can evaluate this for you and show you the result as a fraction.

You start with the multiplication in the inner-most set of brackets. Here, those brackets are the absolute value function.

  -2(-1/3) = +2/3

Then the sum in those brackets:

  -5/6 +2/3 = -5/6 +4/6 = -1/6

The absolute value changes the sign of this back to positive, so the value in square brackets is ...

  3 -(1/6) = 18/6 -1/6 = 17/6

Finally, this value is divided by -17, so you have ...

  $\dfrac{17}{6}\div(-17)=\dfrac{17}{6}\cdot\dfrac{-1}{17}=-\dfrac{17\cdot1}{17\cdot6}=\boxed{-\dfrac{1}{6}}$