Question

-1 1/2 - (+3 1/2) - (-5/8)

Answer 1

`\boldsymbol{-(35)/(8)}`

or, in decimal
-4.375

Explanation:

`\textrm{The expression is }\rm -1(1)/(2)-\left(+3(1)/(2)\right)-\left(-5/8\right)`

`\mathrm{Convert\:mixed\:numbers\:to\:improper\:fractions}:\\-1(1)/(2) = -(1\cdot 2+1)/(2) = -(3)/(2)\\\\\\+3(1)/(2) = +(3\cdot 2+1)/(2) = +(7)/(2) = (7)/(2)`

`\textrm{The expression is }\rm -1(1)/(2)-\left(+3(1)/(2)\right)-\left(-5/8\right)\\= -(3)/(2)-\left((7)/(2)\right)-(-5)/(8)\\\\\\= -(3)/(2)-(7)/(2)\right)+(5)/(8)\\\\\\`

The LCM of 2 and 8 is 8

Multiply each term by 8 and divide the result by 8

We get for numerator:

`8\cdot(-3)/(2) - 8\cdot (7)/(2) + 8\cdot (5)/(8)\\\\= -12 - 28 + 5 = -35\\`

Denominator is 8

So answer is

`\boldsymbol{-(35)/(8)}`

In decimal that would be -4.375

Choose whichever form you like

Answer 2

−3.375

Explanation:

Hope this helps :)