Answer is -9.25
Conversion a mixed number 5 3/
4
to a improper fraction: 5 3/4 = 5 3/
4
= 5 · 4 + 3/
4
= 20 + 3/
4
= 23/
4
To find new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 4. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 4/
4
= 20/
4
b) Add the answer from previous step 20 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 20 + 3 = 23
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 23) over the denominator 4.
Five and three quarters is twenty-three quarters
Unary minus: -23/
4
= -23/
4
Conversion a mixed number 3 1/
2
to a improper fraction: 3 1/2 = 3 1/
2
= 3 · 2 + 1/
2
= 6 + 1/
2
= 7/
2
To find new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 2. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 2/
2
= 6/
2
b) Add the answer from previous step 6 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 6 + 1 = 7
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 7) over the denominator 2.
Three and one half is seven halfs
Subtract: the result of step No. 2 - 7/
2
= -23/
4
- 7/
2
= -23/
4
- 7 · 2/
2 · 2
= -23/
4
- 14/
4
= -23 - 14/
4
= -37/
4
For adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions, it is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of the both denominators - LCM(4, 2) = 4. In practice, it is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 4 × 2 = 8. In the next intermediate step the fraction result cannot be further simplified by canceling.
In words - minus twenty-three quarters minus seven halfs = minus thirty-seven quarters.
