Final answer:
To simplify the expression, subtract the whole numbers and the fractions separately. Find a common denominator for the fractions and subtract them as well. The answer is negative 4 1/8.
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the expression, negative 6 and negative 2 1/8 need to be subtracted. To subtract, we need to find a common denominator for the fractions so they can be directly subtracted. The common denominator for 1/4 and 1/8 is 8, so we can rewrite the expression as negative 6 2/8 minus negative 2 1/8.
Next, we subtract the whole numbers and fractions separately. Negative 6 minus negative 2 equals negative 4, and 2/8 minus 1/8 equals 1/8. So the simplified expression is negative 4 1/8.