Is $-1,833 \div -39$ positive or negative?
Answer (1)
Determine the sign of the dividend and divisor.
Recall the rules for division with signed numbers: same signs result in a positive quotient, different signs result in a negative quotient.
Apply the rule: since both numbers are negative, the result is positive.
Conclude that − 1 , 833 ÷ − 39 is p os i t i v e .
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are asked to determine whether the result of the division $-1833
\div -39$ is positive or negative.
Sign Rules To determine the sign of the result, we need to remember the rules for dividing numbers with the same or different signs. When dividing two numbers with the same sign (both positive or both negative), the result is positive. When dividing two numbers with different signs (one positive and one negative), the result is negative.
Applying the Rules In this case, we are dividing − 1833 by − 39 . Both numbers are negative, so they have the same sign. Therefore, the result of the division will be positive.
Conclusion Therefore, $-1833
\div -39$ is positive.
Examples
In real life, this concept is useful when dealing with debts or losses. For example, if a business has a total debt of $1833 (represented as -1833) and it is shared equally among 39 partners (represented as -39, since it's a liability), then dividing the total debt by the number of partners will give the individual debt per partner. Since both numbers are negative, the result will be a positive number, indicating the amount each partner owes. The calculation − 1833/ − 39 = 47 means each partner owes $47.
