Final answer:
To solve the expression, simplify inside the brackets to get 21/2 and then multiply by 3/8 to get the solution which is 63/16.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the given expression 3/8[-8 + 16 - (-2 and 1/2)], we first need to simplify the expression inside the brackets. Let's convert the mixed number -2 and 1/2 into an improper fraction. Since -2 and 1/2 is equal to -2 - 1/2, this becomes -5/2 when converted to an improper fraction.
Now, we simplify the expression within the brackets as follows:
Next, we multiply 3/8 by 21/2:
Therefore, the solution is 63 / 16.