How do write in simplest form given #-7/8-(-3/16)#?

1 Answer
Jasmine L. · Stefan V.
Dec 7, 2016

The answer is #-11/16#.

Explanation:

#1.# Before you start, you should immediately recognize that since there are two negatives (one outside the bracket and one inside the bracket), that it will become a positive. In other words, you're doing

#-7/8 + 3/16#.

#2.# Find the lowest common denominator. In this case, it would be #16# since

#8xx2 = 16#

Remember to multiply the top AND bottom by #2#. You should now have

#-14/16 + 3/16#

#3.# Add the two fractions together. For the numerators, you have

#-14 + 3 = -11#

so your answer should be

#-11/16#

#4.# Simplify. This cannot be simplified further, so the answer is #-11/16#

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