9 · Negatives & Fractions
Solve equations whose numbers or answers are negative or fractions.
What your child learns
- Solutions can be negative or fractions
- Multiply to clear fractions
- Take care with signs at every step
Example
x/3 + 2 = −1 → x/3 = −3 → x = −9.
Mini lesson: Negative Numbers & Fractions in Equations
Goal: Solve equations whose numbers or answers are negative or fractions.
The same steps work for every equation — the numbers are just trickier.
- Answers can be negative: x + 9 = 4 → x = −5.
- Answers can be fractions: 3x = 2 → x = 2/3.
- To clear a fraction, multiply both sides by the denominator: x/4 = 3 → x = 12.
Worked example
Solve 2x/3 − 1 = 5.
- Add 1: 2x/3 = 6
- Multiply by 3: 2x = 18
- Divide by 2: x = 9
Common mistakes
- Thinking an answer “can’t” be negative.
- Multiplying only one term by the denominator.
Practice questions
A taste of the questions in BloomTracks – the app makes fresh ones every time and adjusts the level as your child answers.
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Question 1 · Level 1
Solve: x + 8 = 0
Show the answer
Answer: −8
x = 0 − 8 = −8.
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Question 2 · Level 3
Solve: x/2 = 3
Show the answer
Answer: 6
x = 6
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Question 3 · Level 5
Solve: x/3 + x/6 = 12
Show the answer
Answer: 24
x = 24
Try it at home
Use temperatures: 'It's −2°C and rose to 5°C — by how much?'
Key takeaway
The same steps work — the numbers just need more care.
Practise 9 · negatives & fractions with Bloomie
Bloomie reads every question aloud, listens to spoken answers and adapts the difficulty one question at a time.