How do you simplify the fraction negative 12 over positive 4?

Answer 1

Step 1: Ignore the signs, just simplify the fraction.

Step 2: Count the number of negative (minus) signs. If there is one, then the answer is negative, otherwise it is positive.

Step 2 can also be stated thus:

-/- or +/+ = plus

-/+ or +/- = minus

So, -12/4

12/4 = 3 and there is only 1 negative sign so the answer is negative.

Answer: -3.

Hope that explains it.