Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test

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Study for the Mathematics ACT Aspire Test. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Get prepared for your exam!

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What will the result be when dividing a positive number by a negative number?

The result will be positive
The result will be negative
The result will be zero
The result will be undefined

The correct answer is: The result will be negative

When a positive number is divided by a negative number, the result is negative. This outcome is rooted in the fundamental rules of division and the signs associated with numbers. In mathematics, division is essentially the inverse operation of multiplication. A positive number multiplied by a negative number yields a negative product. Therefore, when you take a positive number and divide it by a negative number, you are essentially finding a quantity that, when multiplied by that negative number, would result in the original positive number. Since one of the numbers is negative, the result must also be negative to satisfy the equality established by multiplication. Concisely, the relationship between the signs in this division operation leads to a definitive conclusion: positive divided by negative equals negative. This is consistently applicable across all instances involving a positive numerator and a negative denominator.