Answer:
-3/2
Step-by-step explanation:
(1/2)/(2/-5) +(-1/4) = (1/2)·(-5/2) -(1/4) . . . . invert the denominator and multiply
= -5/4 -1/4 = -6/4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .add the two terms
= -3/2 . . . . . reduce the fraction
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<em>Comment on fraction division</em>
There are two ways to divide fractions. In the end, they amount to the same thing.
<u>One</u>: multiply by the inverse of the denominator:
(a/b) / (c/d) = (a/b)·(d/c) = (ad)/(bc)
<u>Two</u>: adjust the denominators to be the same, then use the ratio of numerators:
(a/b) / (c/b) = a/c
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Here, we could rewrite the fractions as ...
(5/10) / (-4/10) = -5/4 . . . . using method two
