Six divided by negative one equals what?

Answer 1

Your 6 divided by -1 equals -6. Here's the scoop. Every fraction, and 6 over -1 is a fraction, has three signs. There's the sign of the numerator, that top number, the sign of the denominator, that bottom number, and then there's the sign of the bar, that division bar. Here's the way your fraction breaks down. You have +6 over -1 with a + on the bar. Remember that if no sign is shown in front of a number, it's assumed to be positive. Now the rule is, you can change any two signs and not change the value of the number. That's any two signs. So let's look at "any" fraction. If both the numerator and denominator have negative signs, change them both and the number will have the sign of the bar. That's because 1) you changed the signs of both the numerator and denominator, changed two signs, and 2) now they are both positive and you can just look at the sign on the bar for direction. A -6 over a -2 is the same as +6 over +2. We didn't mention the sign of the bar in the case of that example, but if the sign of the bar is +, the the answer is +3. If the sign of the bar is negative, the answer is -3. Simple and easy. If either numerator or denominator is a minus and the other is plus, then change the one that's a minus into a plus and change the sign of the bar at the same time. You've done your two changes. Now you have a positive number over a positive number, and you'll simplify and use the sign of the bar, whatever it turns out to be, on the number. If you have -6 over +2, change the -6 to +6 and change the sign of the bar. Then you'll have +6 over +2, and you'll apply the sign on the bar to the reduced form of +6 over +2, which is +3. If the sign on the bar is plus (after you've changed it, of course, because you changed it when you changed the minus sign of either the numerator or denominator) you have +3 for an answer. If the sign on the bar is a minus sign, you'll have a -3. The whole trick is to get a positive numerator over a positive denominator and let the sign of the bar go where ever it has to so you can get a plus over a plus. Then evaluate your fraction and use the sign of the bar on your answer. Piece of cake.