Final answer:
To evaluate -2 1/2 * -1 9/10, convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions, multiply the fractions, simplify the fraction, and convert it back to a mixed number in simplest form.
Step-by-step explanation:
To evaluate -2 1/2 * -1 9/10, we can first convert both mixed numbers to improper fractions. -2 1/2 is equivalent to -5/2 and -1 9/10 is equivalent to -19/10. Now, we can multiply the fractions. We multiply the numerators (-5 * -19) to get 95 and multiply the denominators to get 20. So, the result is 95/20.
Next, we can simplify the fraction. Both 95 and 20 are divisible by 5, so we can divide them both by 5. Simplifying, we get 19/4.
Finally, we can convert the improper fraction 19/4 back to a mixed number in simplest form. Since 4 goes into 19 evenly with a remainder of 3, the mixed number is 4 3/4.
Learn more about Multiplying mixed numbers