When dividing fractions, what happens to the sign of the quotient if both the numerator and the denominator are negative?

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When dividing fractions, if both the numerator and the denominator are negative, the sign of the quotient becomes positive. This is a fundamental rule in arithmetic concerning the multiplication and division of signed numbers. When you divide a negative number by another negative number, their signs cancel each other out.

For instance, consider the example of dividing -6 by -3. Since both numbers are negative, the division results in a positive quotient:

-6 ÷ -3 = 2

This rule is consistent and applies universally to all division involving negative numbers. Understanding this concept also helps clarify operations with mixed signs, reinforcing the importance of sign rules in arithmetic calculations.

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