Question

Alonso multiplied the fractions 3 1/2 and (-4 1/4) and got a product of -12 1/8. Describe the mistake that Alonso made. What is the correct product?

a) Alonso incorrectly added the fractions. The correct product is -13 3/4.
b) Alonso incorrectly subtracted the fractions. The correct product is 13 3/4.
c) Alonso incorrectly multiplied the fractions. The correct product is 14 1/4.
d) Alonso correctly multiplied the fractions.

Answer 1

Alonso made a mistake in multiplying the fractions. The correct product is -13 3/4.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alonso made a mistake in multiplying the fractions. The correct product is -13 3/4.

When multiplying fractions, you multiply the numerators (top numbers) and the denominators (bottom numbers) separately.

For example, in the given problem, multiplying 3 1/2 and (-4 1/4) would be calculated as follows:

3 1/2 = 7/2, and -4 1/4 = -17/4.

Multiplying the numerators: 7 x (-17) = -119.

Multiplying the denominators: 2 x 4 = 8.

So the correct product is -119/8, which can be simplified to -14 7/8 or -13 3/4.