CBSE Class 7 Mathematics Question 10 of 16

Operations with Integers — Question 10

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10
Question
An alien society uses a peculiar currency called ‘pibs’ with just two denominations of coins — a + 13 pibs coin and a – 9 pibs coin. You have several of these coins. Is it possible to purchase an item that costs +85 pibs? Yes, we can use 10 coins of +13 pibs and 5 coins of -9 pibs to make a total of +85. Using the two denominations, try to get the following totals: (a) +20 (b) +40 (c) -50 (d) +8 (e) +10 (f) -2 (g) +1 [Hint: Writing down a few multiples of 13 and 9 can help.] (h) Is it possible t
Answer

The currency has two denominations: +13 pibs and -9 pibs. We need to determine if it is possible to make the given totals. This is a linear equation of the form 13x – 9y = total, where x and y are non-negative integers. (a) Now total = +20 Then we need to find integers 13x – 9y = 20, x, y > 0 such that If x = 1, then 13 – 9y = 20 ⇒ -9y = 7. No solution. If x = 2, then 26 – 9y = 20 ⇒ -9y = -6. No solution. IF x = 3 then 39 – 9y = 20 ⇒ -9y = -19. No solution. If x = 4, then 52 – 9y = 20 ⇒ -9y = -32. No solution. If x = 5 then 65 – 9y = 20 ⇒ -9y = -45 ⇒ y = 5 Hence, x = 5, y = 5 is a valid solution. (b) +40 Take 10 coins of +13 and 10 coins of -9: 10 × 13 – 10 × 9 = 130 – 90 = +40 pibs. (c) -50 Take 10 coins of +13 and 20 coins of -9: 10 × 13 – 20 × 9 = 130 – 180 = – 50 pibs. (d) +8 Take 2 coins of +13 and 2 coins of -9: 2 × 13 – 2 × 9 = 26 – 18 = +8 pibs. (e) +10 Take 7 coins of +13 and 9 coins of -9: 7 × 13 – 9 × 9 = 91 – 81 = +10 pibs. (f) -2 Take 13 coins of +13 and 19 coins of -9: 13 × 13 – 19 × 9 = 169 – 171 = -2 pibs. (g) +1 Take 7 coins of +13 and 10 coins of -9: 7 × 13 – 10 × 9 = 91 – 90 = +1 pibs. (h) Yes, it is possible. Take 122 coins of +13 and 2 coins of -9: 122 × 13 – 2 × 9 = 1586 – 18 = 1568 pibs.

Chapter Overview: Integers

This chapter covers multiplication and division of integers, extending the operations learned in Class VI. Students learn sign rules for multiplication and division, properties like closure, commutative, associative, and distributive, and apply integer operations to real-world contexts like temperature changes and financial transactions.

Exam Weightage: ~6 marks | Difficulty: Medium

Key Formulas

Formula When to Use
(+) × (+) = (+), (+) × (-) = (-)Sign rule for multiplication
(-) × (+) = (-), (-) × (-) = (+)Sign rule for multiplication
a × (b + c) = a×b + a×cDistributive property
a × 1 = a; a × 0 = 0Identity and zero property
Division sign rules same as multiplicationDivision of integers

Must-Know Concepts

  • Sign rules: same signs → positive, different signs → negative
  • Closure property holds for multiplication but NOT for division:
  • Commutative and associative properties hold for multiplication but NOT for division:
  • Division by zero is undefined:
  • Distributive property: a × (b + c) = a×b + a×c

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Writing (-2) × (-3) = -6 instead of +6
  • Claiming division is commutative
  • Dividing by zero and writing 0 as the result

Scoring Tips

  • Master sign rules first — they apply to both multiplication and division
  • Use the pattern approach to understand why negative × negative = positive
  • Practice with number line for visual understanding
  • Memorize: even number of negatives = positive result

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is negative × negative = positive?

Look at the pattern: (-3)×3=-9, (-3)×2=-6, (-3)×1=-3, (-3)×0=0. Each step adds 3. So (-3)×(-1)=3, (-3)×(-2)=6. The pattern forces the result to be positive.

Why can't we divide by zero?

Division is the inverse of multiplication. If 6÷0 = x, then x×0 should equal 6. But anything times 0 is 0, never 6. So no answer exists — division by zero is undefined.

Does closure hold for division of integers?

No. For example, 7÷2 = 3.5, which is not an integer. So integers are not closed under division.