Question

How do you simplify `(20+4)div(-1)`?

Answer 1

Recall the definition of an operation of division:
The result of division of number `X` by number `Y` is such a number `Z` that, if multiplied by `Y`, produces `X`.

Based on this definition, the answer to this problem is `-24` because
`(-24)*(-1)=20+4`

Here are a few important logical steps to come up with this result.

1. Operations in parenthesis are performed prior to others. Therefore, `((20+4))/(-1)` can be safely replaced with `24/(-1)`.

2. `X/(-Y)=-X/Y` because `(-X/Y)*(-Y)=(X/Y)*Y=X`
   Therefore, `24/-1=-24`