Question

What is the value of -5 1/2 + 7 3/4 - (-4)

Answer 1

`\large\boxed{-5(1)/(2)+7(3)/(4)-(-4)=6(1)/(4)=6.25}`

Explanation:

`-5(1)/(2)+7(3)/(4)-(-4)=-5(1)/(2)+7(3)/(4)+4\\\\\bold{METHOD\ 1}\\\\\text{Convert to the decimal:}\\\\-5(1)/(2)=-5.5\\\\7(3)/(4)=7.75\\\\-5.5+7.75+4=6.25\\\\\bold{METHOD\ 2}\\\\\text{Find the common denominator.}\\\\LCD=4\\\\-5(1)/(2)=-5(1\cdot2)/(2\cdot2)=-5(2)/(4)\\\\-5(1)/(2)+7(3)/(4)+4=-5(2)/(4)+7(3)/(4)+4=(-5+7)+\left(-(2)/(4)+(3)/(4)\right)+4\\\\=2+(1)/(4)+4=6(1)/(4)`