How to Turn a Negative Denominator into a Positive

••• ChuckPlace/iStock/GettyImages

A fraction represents part of a whole. The bottom number is the denominator, which tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided by. The top number is the numerator, which tells you how many parts of the whole the fraction represents. If a fraction has a negative number as its denominator, it's easy to convert it into a positive.

    Write your fraction. For example,

    \frac{3}{-6}

    Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by −1. Work out 3 × −1 = −3 for the numerator. Work out −6 × −1 = 6 for the denominator. The fraction is now

    \frac{-3}{6}

    If possible, reduce the fraction to its simplest form. For example, divide −3 and 6 by 3 to make ( −1)/2. The fraction in its simplest form is

    \frac{-1}{2}

    Tips

    • Remember, a fraction with a negative sign anywhere is a negative fraction; in other words, it represents a negative quantity. As long as you write only one negative sign, it doesn't matter whether you put it before the denominator, before the numerator or before the entire fraction. For example, these fractions are all equal: (−1)/2, 1/( −2), −(1/2) and −1/2.

Related Articles

How to Change Mixed Numbers Into Improper Fractions
Test Your Knowledge on Middle School Science
How to Divide Rational Numbers
How to Find the Inverse of a Given Number
How to Find the X Intercept of a Function
How to Find a Percent of a Fraction
How to Convert Pounds Per Square Foot to PSI
Multiplying Fractions
How to Turn Improper Fractions Into Whole Numbers
How to: Improper Fractions Into Proper Fractions
How to Type a Mixed Fraction in a TI-83 Plus
How to Make a Simple Circuit
How Do You Simplify Your Slope
How to Convert a Mixed Number to a Fractional Notation
How to Multiply 3 Fractions
Adding & Subtracting Fractions
How to Reset a TI89
How to Convert a Fraction to a Ratio
How to Get the Fraction Equivalent of a Whole Number
What Color Would a Tester PH Paper Turn if Is Dipped...

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!