Question

What should be divided by `1/2` to obtain the greatest negative integer?

Answer 1

Let the number be x.

We know that, greatest negative integer is –1.

According to the question,

`1/2 ÷ x = -1`

⇒ `1/2 xx 1/x = -1`  ...`[∵ "Reciprocal of"  x = 1/x]`

⇒ `1/x = - 1 xx 2/1`

⇒ `1/x = (-2)/1`

⇒ `x = (-1)/2`

Hence, the required number is `(-1)/2`.