Negative sign in fraction (rules)

[geeknick]

I'm having a problem working on negative sign could please someone enlighten me about the sign in fraction (rules).

15/-2 = -7 1/2, is this correct?

when i tried to convert -7 1/2 to improper fraction i get -13/2 it must be 15/-2. Do i need to get the absolute value first then i

just copy the sign?

here's another one,

i know, 7/-2 = -7/2 = -(7/2).
7/-2 = this is improper fraction.
-7/2 = and this proper fraction.
but, 7/-2 is equal to -7/2, should i say it is proper or improper.

[acknak]

[Split from here: http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/ ... 12&t=45151]

Sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you're after here.

when i tried to convert -7 1/2 to improper fraction i get -13/2 ...

What did you do exactly to perform the conversion?

What application are you working in--word processor, spreadsheet, formula editor, ...?

[RGB]

I think the OP is asking a mathematical question, not a question about Math. 7½ is an unhappy way to write 7 + ½ = 15/2.
-15/2 = 15/(-2) but some math teachers will have problem if a pupil write the second one...

[acknak]

Ok, I think I see now. A proper fraction is defined as denominator < numerator, so -7/2 can be proper or improper (by that definition) depending on where you put the sign (top or bottom).

I'm no mathematician, but as I understand it, both forms are improper: it's the magnitude of the numerator and denominator that's important. You can think of the sign as applying to the fraction as a whole, so 7/2 or -(7/2), are both improper fractions because 2 < 7.