Question 1113364: Which phrase does not have the same meaning as -3/w? (-3 is on top of the w like a fraction, sorry if I didn’t enter that correctly above.
a. Negative 3 times a number w
b. Negative 3 divided by a number w
c. A number w divided into negative 3
d. The quotient of negative 3 and a number w
I think the answer is d but I’m not really sure. Thank you.
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a. Negative 3 times a number w -3w
b. Negative 3 divided by a number w -3/w
c. A number w divided into negative 3 w/(-3)=-3/w
d. The quotient of negative 3 and a number w -3/w
Answer by ikleyn(52781)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! .
Since @josgarithmetic presented his answers I N C O R R E C T L Y, let me do it in correct way:
a. Negative 3 times a number w -3w
b. Negative 3 divided by a number w 
c. A number w divided into negative 3  = 
d. The quotient of negative 3 and a number w
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After reading the post by @greenestamps, I have a question:
In the post by @josgarithmetic, the line c) says w/(-3) = -3/w
I S I T C O R R E C T ? I S T H I S E Q U A L I T Y C O R R E C T ?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
To learn the subject, I first looked into my textbooks in Algebra (that I have many from library sales . . . ).
I found that NO ONE textbook uses this form "divide a number into the other number" or even mention it.
Then I made my search in the Internet. I found this site and some discussion in it. I placed it below.
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https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/58209/divide-two-into-four-and-divide-two-by-four
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists,
and serious English language enthusiasts.
QUESTION // asked by someone Feb 16 '12 at 6:17
Why does "divide two into four" equal two, and "divide two by four" equal one half?
Correct if I am wrong, but this what I have learned recently.
ANSWER 1
As a AmE speaker from NE US, I have to say that I have a hard time recalling EVER hearing someone say "divide X into Y."
I would not have been able to answer this question from someone without clarification of what they were asking.
– horatio Feb 16 '12 at 19:12
ANSWER 2
OP's confusion arises because "divide 2 into 4" is an idiomatic usage meaning perform a division operation,
using 2 as the divisor, and 4 as the dividend.
ANSWER 3
For me (an American) divide 2 into 4 is not the same as divide 2 by 4. This one: divide 2 into 4 uses 2 as the divisor,
as you say: 4/2 ... but divide 2 by 4 I take to mean use 4 as the divisor, 2/4 .
– GEdgar Jul 10 '13 at 20:59
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Getting familiarity with the issue, I conclude that this form practically is never used in Math and in Math/Algebra textbooks.
It is the area where linguists, etymologists, and English language enthusiasts make their exercises, when they have nothing to do.
Answer by greenestamps(13200)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
No; tutor josgarithmetic got it right. Tutor ikleyn's "correction" is in error.
Answer choice c "A number w divided into negative 3" is equivalent to -3/w, not w/-3.
With tutor ikleyn's incorrect reading of the problem, the question can't be answered, because TWO of the answer choices are phrases that do not have the same meaning as "-3/w".
With tutor josgarithmetic's correct reading of the problem, there is only one of the answer choices that does not have the same meaning as "-3/w" -- making it possible to answer the question that was asked.
So the answer to the question that was asked is answer choice a, "negative 3 times a number w".
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