Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 1 - Section 1.6 - Subtraction of Real Numbers - Exercise Set - Page 71: 93

Answer

$$-\frac{5}{x} - (-\frac{2}{x})$$ or $$-\frac{3}{x}$$

Work Step by Step

Let's look at this statement in pieces: The "quotient of $-2$ and a number" can be translated to "$-2 \div x$ or $-\frac{2}{x}$". The answer to this portion is then subtracted from "the quotient of $-5$ and the number," which can be translated to "$-5 \div x$ or $-\frac{5}{x}$". So let us take the first expression and subtract it from the second expression: $$-\frac{5}{x} - (-\frac{2}{x})$$ Since both fractions have the same denominator, then we can subtract the numerators and keep the same denominator. Remember that when we subtract a negative number, we actually add the additive inverse of that number instead: $$-\frac{5}{x} + \frac{2}{x}$$ $$-\frac{3}{x}$$
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