Algebra 1 : How to divide integers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Integers

What is \(\displaystyle -48\div-16\) ?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 32\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle -\frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle -3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Explanation:

Divide the absolute values to get the magnitude of the answer.

\(\displaystyle 48\div16=3\)

Remember the following rules:

Positive divided by negative is negative.

Positive divided by positive is positive.

Negative divided by negative is positive.

Since we are dealing with two negatives, our answer will be positive.

\(\displaystyle -48\div-16=3\)

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Integers

\(\displaystyle -10+13-12\div{(16\div{2^{2}})}=\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -3\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle -9\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{-9}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0\)

Explanation:

This is a classic order of operations question, and if you are not careful, you can end up with the wrong answer!  

Remember, the order of operations says that you have to go in the following order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction (also known as PEMDAS).  In this equation, you will start with the parentheses.  In the parentheses, we have 

\(\displaystyle (16\div2^{2})\).

But within the parentheses, you still need to follow PEMDAS.  First, we will solve the exponent, and the square of 2 is 4.  Then, we'll divide 16 by 4, which gives us 4, so we can rewrite our original equation as

\(\displaystyle -10+13-12\div4\).

We can now divide \(\displaystyle 4\) into \(\displaystyle -12\), which gives us

\(\displaystyle -10+13-3\)

The last step is to add and subtract the numbers above, paying careful attention to negative signs.  In the end, we end up with \(\displaystyle 0\) because \(\displaystyle -10\) added to \(\displaystyle 13\) equals \(\displaystyle 3\), and \(\displaystyle 3\) minus \(\displaystyle 3\) equals \(\displaystyle 0\)

Example Question #1 : Real Numbers

If a number is divisible by 9 and 12, it must also be divisible by...

I.   36

II.  48

III. 144

Possible Answers:

II only

III only

I only

III and II only

I and II only

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

For a number A to be divisible by another number B, A must share all of the prime factors of B.  For example, 100 is divisible by 10 because the prime factors of 10 (5 and 2) are found in the prime factors of 100 (2, 2, 5, and 5).  

In this problem, we have a number A that is divisible by 9 and 12.  First, find the prime factors of 9 and 12.  The factors of 9 are (3, 3).  The factors of 12 are (2,2,3).  So, to be divisible by 9 and 12, the number A must have the factors (2,2,3,3).  Multiply those together, and we get 2*2*3*3= 36.

So, A must be divisible by 36.  It could be divisible by the other answer choices, but since the question asked which choice must be right, we can only choose 36.

Example Question #1 : Integer Operations

Rewrite 100 as a number in base six.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 244_{\textrm{six}}\)

\(\displaystyle 432_{\textrm{six}}\)

\(\displaystyle 224_{\textrm{six}}\)

\(\displaystyle 234_{\textrm{six}}\)

\(\displaystyle 442_{\textrm{six}}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 244_{\textrm{six}}\)

Explanation:

One way to do this:

Divide 100 by 6. The remainder will be the last digit.

\(\displaystyle 100 \div 6 = 16 \textrm{ R } 4\)

Now divide the quotient by 6. This remainder will be the second-to-last digit.

\(\displaystyle 16 \div 6 = 2 \textrm{ R } 4\)

The quotient is less than 6, so it is the first digit. The base-six equivalent of 100 is \(\displaystyle 244_{\textrm{six}}\).

Example Question #2 : Real Numbers

Divide and express the quotient in scientific notation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{ 1.5 \times 10^{16} }{ 6\times 10^{5} }\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 25 \times 10^{9}\)

\(\displaystyle 2.5 \times 10^{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} \times 10^{11}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.25 \times 10^{11}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1\times 10^{11}}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2.5 \times 10^{10}\)

Explanation:

All of these choices are equivalent to the correct answer. But only \(\displaystyle 2.5 \times 10^{10}\) is in scientific notation.

Example Question #3 : Real Numbers

Divide:  \(\displaystyle \frac{32}{84}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{13}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{19}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{23}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{11}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{21}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{21}\)

Explanation:

Write the factors of the two numbers.

\(\displaystyle \frac{32}{84}= \frac{4\times 8 }{4\times 21}= \frac{8}{21}\)

Example Question #4 : Real Numbers

If a number is divisible by \(\displaystyle 12\), which of the following is always true?

I. Divisible by \(\displaystyle 2\)

II. Divisible by \(\displaystyle 3\)

III. Divisible by \(\displaystyle 24\)

Possible Answers:

I only

II only

I and II

All true

None true

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

If a number is divisble by some number \(\displaystyle x\), then it is also divisible by all of its factors. Hence, if a number is divisible by \(\displaystyle 12\), it is also divisible by \(\displaystyle 1, 2, 3, 4\), and \(\displaystyle 6\). Thus, I and II are both true.

Example Question #3 : How To Divide Integers

Divide \(\displaystyle 126 \div 36\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{14}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{21}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{23}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}\)

Explanation:

Rewrite the expression in fraction form.

\(\displaystyle 126 \div 36= \frac{126}{36}\)

Write out the common factors of both the numerator and denominator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{126}{36} = \frac{6\times 21}{6\times 6} =\frac{6\times 3\times 7}{6\times 3 \times 2}\)

We can then see that the fraction can be reduced to \(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}\) without having to conduct long division.

The answer is \(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}\).

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Integers

Divide:  \(\displaystyle 48 \div 14\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{14}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{7}\)

Explanation:

Rewrite the expression as a fraction.

\(\displaystyle \frac{48}{14}\)

Write out the multiples of the numerator and denominator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{48}{14} =\frac{2 \times 3\times 8}{2 \times 7}\)

The twos can be cancelled.  Simplify what remains of the fraction.

\(\displaystyle \frac{3\times 8}{7}= \frac{24}{7}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle \frac{24}{7}\)

Example Question #2 : Integer Operations

Divide the integers:  \(\displaystyle 38 \div 14\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{19}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{7}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{19}{7}\)

Explanation:

Rewrite the expression as a fraction.

\(\displaystyle 38 \div 14 = \frac{38}{14}\)

Rewrite the fraction by common factors of two.

\(\displaystyle \frac{38}{14} = \frac{2 \times 19}{2\times 7}\)

Divide and cancel the twos, which will become one.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle \frac{19}{7}\)

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