Question

-5/8+1/8= -5+1/8= -6/8= - 3/4 describe and correct the error in finding the sum.

Answer 1

To sum these fractions, we can follow using the next steps:

`-(5)/(8)+(1)/(8)=(-5+1)/(8)=(-4)/(8)=-(2)/(4)=-(1)/(2)`

The error was in adding the numerator in the third step. The algebraical sum of -5+1 is -4 (not -6). After that, the result is -4/8. We simplify the fraction (dividing by 2) until we have an irreducible fraction (-1/2).