Final answer:
To simplify the expression -2 3/5 - 5 1/2, convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions, find a common denominator, and subtract the fractions to get the simplified form.
option b is the correct
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the expression -2 3/5 - 5 1/2, we need to convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions and then find a common denominator.
-2 3/5 can be written as (-2 * 5 + 3)/5 = -13/5.
Similarly, 5 1/2 can be written as (5 * 2 + 1)/2 = 11/2.
Now we can subtract the fractions: -13/5 - 11/2.
First, we need to find a common denominator, which is the least common multiple of 5 and 2, which is 10.
Next, we rewrite the fractions with the common denominator: (-13/5) * (2/2) = -26/10 and (11/2) * (5/5) = 55/10.
Finally, subtract the fractions: -26/10 - 55/10 = -81/10.
So, the simplified form of -2 3/5 - 5 1/2 is -8 1/10, option B.