1. Divide Rational Numbers Honors Math – Grade 7

2. A research vessel lowers a submersible 49.2 m below sea level at a descent rate of 4.1 m per second. In how many seconds will the submersible reach the targeted depth? What are the important facts? Express the numbers as rational numbers. What operation does the problem suggest? KEY CONCEPT Divide Two Rational Numbers To multiply rational numbers: 1. If the dividend and divisor have like signs, the quotient is positive! 2. If the dividend and divisor have unlike signs, the quotient is negative! Remember to first divide the rational numbers and then determine the sign

3. To divide with decimals, remember to move the decimal point in the divisor– changing it to a whole number—and then move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of times.

4. Remember, when dividing two fractions, to multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor. Also, all quotients must be expressed in simplest form!

5. Remember when dividing mixed numbers, to change the mixed numbers to improper fractions and then multiply by the reciprocal.

6. A Complex Fraction has a fraction as a term in the numerator or denominator or both. Simplify by dividing!