DIVISION: Problem 5

Rule 16: To divide three or more fractions, complete the following three steps.

1.
Change the tex2html_wrap_inline40 signs to tex2html_wrap_inline42 sign and invert the fractions to the right of the signs.
2.
Multiply the numerators.
3.
Multiply the denominators.
4.
Reduce the results. (See Rule 10)
a.
Factor the product of the numerators.
b.
Factor the product of the denominators.
c.
Look for the fractions that have a value of 1.

Problem 5: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline44 and reduce your answer.
Answer: There is no answer, the problem is undefined.

Solution: Any number divided by zero is undefined.

If you are still a skeptic, let's go through the routine again.

Convert the whole number to a fraction so that the problem

displaymath46

can be written

displaymath48


Change the division signs to multiplication signs and invert the fractions to the right of the signs.

displaymath50


The right most fraction is undefined, the empty set, any expression that contains an undefined portion is itself undefined.

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Author: Nancy Marcus

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