Question

Which number should be multiplied by \[ - \dfrac{3}{5}\] to get \[ - \dfrac{1}{5}\]?

Answer 1

Hint: Using the basic concept of multiplication of two numbers as \[x \times y = z\]. As we know the values of x and z and so put the values in the above equation and hence the value of y can be calculated.

Complete step by step solution: As the given numbers are \[ - \dfrac{3}{5}\]and \[ - \dfrac{1}{5}\]

So, the multiplication of the given number is given by the equation as \[x \times y = z\].

The value of x is \[ - \dfrac{3}{5}\]and the value of z is \[ - \dfrac{1}{5}\].

So, putting the value in the above equation as

\[ - \dfrac{3}{5} \times y = - \dfrac{1}{5}\]

On cross-multiplying, we get,

 \[ \Rightarrow \]\[y = - \dfrac{1}{5} \times - \dfrac{5}{3}\]

On calculation, we get,

\[ \Rightarrow \]\[y = \dfrac{1}{3}\]

Hence, \[\dfrac{1}{3}\] should be multiplied by \[ - \dfrac{3}{5}\]to get \[ - \dfrac{1}{5}\].

Note: Multiplication, one of the four basic operations of arithmetic, gives the result of combining groups of equal sizes. In other words, multiplication is repeated addition. Multiplication is represented by the signs cross (\[ \times \]), dot '·'. When we multiply two numbers, the answer we get is called 'product'.