Problem:
The letters , and represent numbers located on the number line as shown.
Which of the following expressions represents a negative number?
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Solution:
Examine the sign of each choice. Since is to the left of is negative. All the other answers are positive:
Since and are both negative, their product is positive.
Since and are of opposite signs, their quotient is negative. When this quotient is multiplied by a negative number, , the result is positive.
Since and are both positive, their quotient is positive.
Since and are both positive, their quotient is positive.
Answer: .
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions