Question

How do I do 1/2 divided by -2/5 + -1/4

Answer 1

IF -2/5 + -1/4 IS IN PARENTHESES:

skip this part if its not

(1/2) / (-2/5 - 1/4)

(-2/5 - 1/4) is equivalent to (-8/20 - 5/20) = -13/20

substitute -13/20 for (-2/5 - 1/4)

1/2 / -13/20

remember that division is the inverse of multiplication, so if we flip the second fraction, we can change the division sign to multiplication (when doing this, never flip the first fraction, you will not get the right answer)

1/2 * -20/13

simplify -20/2 to get -10

1 * -10/13 = -10/13

IF -2/5 + -1/4 IS NOT IN PARENTHESES:

1/2 / -2/5 +-1/4

PEMDAS : multiplication/division comes before addition / subtraction

1/2 / -2/5 = (apply the flip rule : read the chunk of text above if you don't know what it is) 1/2 * -5/2 = -5/4

subtract 1/4 form -5/4 now

-5/4 - 1/4 = -6/4

simplify

= -3/2