Use the properties of operations and rules for multiplying and dividing to solve:

(-3) divide (3/4) x (2/7) x (-5/16) divide (5/7)

1 answer

To solve this expression, we will follow the order of operations and apply the properties of operations and rules for multiplying and dividing. First, let's simplify the expression inside the parentheses:
(-3) ÷ (3/4) × (2/7) × (-5/16) ÷ (5/7)

To simplify (-3) ÷ (3/4), we multiply -3 by the reciprocal of 3/4, which is 4/3:
(-3) ÷ (3/4) = -3 × (4/3) = -12/3 = -4

Now we have:
-4 × (2/7) × (-5/16) ÷ (5/7)

Multiplying -4 by (2/7) gives:
-4 × (2/7) = -8/7

Now we have:
-8/7 × (-5/16) ÷ (5/7)

Multiplying -8/7 by (-5/16) gives:
-8/7 × (-5/16) = 40/112 = 5/14

Now we have:
5/14 ÷ (5/7)

Dividing 5/14 by (5/7) gives:
(5/14) ÷ (5/7) = 5/14 × (7/5) = (5*7)/(14*5) = 35/70 = 1/2

Therefore, (-3) ÷ (3/4) × (2/7) × (-5/16) ÷ (5/7) simplifies to 1/2.