Example

Translating 'the quotient of 56-56 and 7-7'

Translate the phrase "the quotient of 56-56 and 7-7" into an algebraic expression and simplify:

The keyword quotient signals division. The prepositions of and and identify the two quantities: 56-56 and 7-7. The translation is:

56÷(7)-56 \div (-7)

Both the dividend and the divisor are negative — same signs — so the quotient is positive. Dividing the absolute values gives 56÷7=856 \div 7 = 8:

56÷(7)=8-56 \div (-7) = 8

This example confirms that the standard "the [operation keyword] of [first value] and [second value]" translation pattern applies equally when both values are negative integers. The sign rule for division determines that dividing two numbers with the same sign always produces a positive result.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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