SOLUTION: I did this problem on a homework assignment and got it wrong it stumped me because I was trying to find a common denomonator for the multiplication. I need to know how this is sol

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: I did this problem on a homework assignment and got it wrong it stumped me because I was trying to find a common denomonator for the multiplication. I need to know how this is sol      Log On


   

Question 157465: I did this problem on a homework assignment and got it wrong it stumped me because I was trying to find a common denomonator for the multiplication. I need to know how this is solved step by step if someone could take me through it please.
Multiply (-15/42)(1/8)(-21/17)(-1/17)
Answer by gonzo(654) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if it's a straight multiplication which is what it looks like then you don't need to find a common denominator.
all you need to do is multiply all the numerators and multiply all the denominators and you get the answer after reducing to the simplest form.
formula as i see it is %28-15%2F42%29%2A%281%2F8%29%2A%28-21%2F17%29%2A%28-1%2F17%29
this becomes %28-15%2A1%2A-21%2A-1%29%2F%2842%2A8%2A17%2A17%29
which becomes %28-15%2A1%2A-1%2A-1%29%2F%282%2A8%2A17%2A17%29
the -21 on top was divided into the 42 on the bottom to become -1/2.
which then becomes -15%2F4624