Multiply and Divide Fractions: example 4.35

Divide, and write the answer in simplified form: $- \frac{3}{4} \div (- \frac{7}{8}) .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Divide, and write the answer in simplified form: $- \frac{2}{3} \div (- \frac{5}{6}) .$

How did it go?

	$- \frac{3}{4} \div (- \frac{7}{8})$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$- \frac{3}{4} \cdot (- \frac{8}{7})$
Multiply. Remember to determine the sign first.	$\frac{3 \cdot 8}{4 \cdot 7}$
Rewrite to show common factors.	$\frac{3 \cdot 4 \cdot 2}{4 \cdot 7}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$\frac{6}{7}$

	$- \frac{3}{4} \div (- \frac{7}{8})$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$- \frac{3}{4} \cdot (- \frac{8}{7})$
Multiply. Remember to determine the sign first.	$\frac{3 \cdot 8}{4 \cdot 7}$
Rewrite to show common factors.	$\frac{3 \cdot 4 \cdot 2}{4 \cdot 7}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$\frac{6}{7}$