math

When multiplying a fraction by a whole number, remember that whole numbers can be written as a fraction of x/1. This means that 45 can be turned into 45/1. Thus your mutiplication problem can be written as [45/1 * -1/5]. Now multiply the numerators together and the denominators. (Remember your signs.)

When you multiply it out, you get -45/9, which can be further simplified to -5.

Alternatively, in situations such as this, you can thnk of this as a division problem. My teacher always referred to this as "copy change flip," meaning you take the inverse of the fraction (turn -1/5 into -5) and change the sign to division. In other words, [45 * -1/5] is turned into [45 / -5].

"When you multiply it out, you get -45/9, which can be further simplified to -5. "

Hi Kat,
Thank you for answering this question, and doing it so well,
Unfortunately, you have made a little mistake, it isn't -45/9 it is -45/5
could you please fix it. Just mark it in some way to show that it is a correction.
Thanks
Melody