Final answer:
To rewrite the expression using addition, change the subtraction to addition by adding the opposite of the negative number. To evaluate the expression, add the whole numbers and the fractions separately.
Step-by-step explanation:
To rewrite the expression using addition, we need to change the subtraction into addition. When subtracting a negative number, we can rewrite it as adding the opposite. So, 2 1/2 - ( -3 2/5 ) becomes 2 1/2 + 3 2/5.
To evaluate the expression, we need to add the whole numbers and the fractions separately. 2 + 3 = 5. Then, for the fractions, we find a common denominator of 2 and add the numerators. 1/2 + 2/5 = 5/10 + 4/10 = 9/10.
Therefore, the expression 2 1/2 - ( -3 2/5 ) is rewritten as 5 9/10 and evaluated to be 5 9/10.