Question

What is -1 7/8 + -2 1/4? Please explain why and a step by step :).

Answer 1

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Answer:

  -4 1/8

Step-by-step explanation:

Many people find it easier to factor out -1, then do the addition. The fractions need a common denominator before they can be added. A suitable denominator that is a multiple of both 4 and 8 is 8.

The fraction 1/4 = (1/4)(2/2) = (1·2)/(4·2) = 2/8.

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So, the problem can be rewritten as ...

  -(1 7/8 +2 2/8)

  = -((1+2) +(7/8 +2/8))

  = -(3 +9/8)

The fraction 9/8 is an improper fraction equal to 8/8 +1/8 = 1 1/8. Then the sum is ...

  -(3 +1 1/8) = -4 1/8