Solve 1/2-1/3-5/3

$$\frac { 1 } { 2 } - \frac { 1 } { 3 } - \frac { 5 } { 3 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{3}{2}=-1.5$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. Convert \frac{1}{2} and \frac{1}{3} to fractions with denominator 6.

$$\frac{3}{6}-\frac{2}{6}-\frac{5}{3}$$

Since \frac{3}{6} and \frac{2}{6} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{3-2}{6}-\frac{5}{3}$$

Subtract 2 from 3 to get 1.

$$\frac{1}{6}-\frac{5}{3}$$

Least common multiple of 6 and 3 is 6. Convert \frac{1}{6} and \frac{5}{3} to fractions with denominator 6.

$$\frac{1}{6}-\frac{10}{6}$$

Since \frac{1}{6} and \frac{10}{6} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{1-10}{6}$$

Subtract 10 from 1 to get -9.

$$\frac{-9}{6}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-9}{6} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 3.

$$-\frac{3}{2}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{3}{2} = -1\frac{1}{2} = -1.5$$