Solve Division Problem: 200 ÷ (-10) Step by Step

Q: Why is the answer negative when I'm dividing a bigger number by a smaller number?

The size of the numbers doesn't determine the sign - the positive and negative signs do! Since we're dividing a positive number (200) by a negative number (-10), the result must be negative (-20).

Q: How do I remember the division sign rules?

Think of it like multiplication: same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Since 200 is positive and -10 is negative, they have different signs, so the answer is negative.

Q: Can I just ignore the negative sign and add it back later?

Yes! This is actually a great strategy. Calculate $ 200 ÷ 10 = 20 $ first, then apply the sign rule to get $ -20 $. Just don't forget that final step!

Q: What if both numbers were negative?

If you had $ (-200) ÷ (-10) $, the answer would be positive 20 because negative ÷ negative = positive. Same signs always give positive results.

Q: How can I check if my answer is correct?

Multiply your answer by the original divisor: $ (-20) × (-10) = 200 $. If you get back to the original number, you're right!

Division Operations with Negative Numbers

Solve the following problem:

$\frac{200}{-10}=$

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Solve the following problem:

$\frac{200}{-10}=$

Step-by-step solution

Remember that we are dividing a positive number by a negative number, so the result must be a negative number.

We will divide both the numerator and the denominator by the highest number that both are divisible by.

In this case, the number is -10

We will divide the fraction as follows:

$\frac{200:-10}{-10:-10}=\frac{-20}{1}=-20$

Final Answer

$-20$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Sign Rule: Positive divided by negative always equals negative
Technique: Calculate $200 ÷ 10 = 20$ , then apply negative sign
Check: Multiply answer by divisor: $(-20) × (-10) = 200$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting the negative sign in the final answer
Don't calculate 200 ÷ 10 = 20 and stop there! This ignores the division sign rules and gives a positive answer when it should be negative. Always remember: positive ÷ negative = negative result.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Write the fraction shown in the diagram as a number:

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is the answer negative when I'm dividing a bigger number by a smaller number?

The size of the numbers doesn't determine the sign - the positive and negative signs do! Since we're dividing a positive number (200) by a negative number (-10), the result must be negative (-20).

How do I remember the division sign rules?

Think of it like multiplication: same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Since 200 is positive and -10 is negative, they have different signs, so the answer is negative.

Can I just ignore the negative sign and add it back later?

Yes! This is actually a great strategy. Calculate $200 ÷ 10 = 20$ first, then apply the sign rule to get $-20$ . Just don't forget that final step!

What if both numbers were negative?

If you had $(-200) ÷ (-10)$ , the answer would be positive 20 because negative ÷ negative = positive. Same signs always give positive results.

How can I check if my answer is correct?

Multiply your answer by the original divisor: $(-20) × (-10) = 200$ . If you get back to the original number, you're right!

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