No stupid answers... college level algebra.
2007-01-04 09:56:27 · 6 answers · asked by girl_pink 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
(10/5)/2 = 2/2 = 1
10/(5/2) = 10 x 2/5 = 4
(a/b)/c = a/b x 1/c = a/(bc)
a/(b/c) = a/1 x c/b = ac/b
2007-01-04 09:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by Jim Burnell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about integers only? If you want to prove that simply use induction(plugging in arbitrary numbers). Since this classmate is saying that it doesn't matter where you put the parentheses in an equation do this example
3/4/5 can be written two ways
1. (3/4)/5 which is 3/20
2. 3/(4/5) which is 15/4
This is a basic inductive proof and I'm sure there are more complex proofs out there but this should suffice.
2007-01-04 18:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Brandon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay first of all.. this isn't even algebra let alone college-level.
But just give them an example:
27 / (9 / 3) = 27 / 3 = 9
(27 / 9) / 3 = 3 / 3 = 1
2007-01-04 18:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by teekshi33 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(2/3)/2=2/3*1/2=1/3
2/(3/2)=2*2/3=4/3
so division isnot associative
2007-01-04 18:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by raj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The following site will explain in detail:
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/60710.html
Guido
2007-01-04 18:07:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teach him English first. How can you associate when you're dividing?? Tonto!
2007-01-04 18:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by morning breath 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋