Solve 1/3-1/12-23/4

$$\frac { 1 } { 3 } - \frac { 1 } { 12 } - 2 \frac { 3 } { 4 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{5}{2}=-2.5$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 3 and 12 is 12. Convert \frac{1}{3} and \frac{1}{12} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$\frac{4}{12}-\frac{1}{12}-\frac{2\times 4+3}{4}$$

Since \frac{4}{12} and \frac{1}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{4-1}{12}-\frac{2\times 4+3}{4}$$

Subtract 1 from 4 to get 3.

$$\frac{3}{12}-\frac{2\times 4+3}{4}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{3}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 3.

$$\frac{1}{4}-\frac{2\times 4+3}{4}$$

Multiply 2 and 4 to get 8.

$$\frac{1}{4}-\frac{8+3}{4}$$

Add 8 and 3 to get 11.

$$\frac{1}{4}-\frac{11}{4}$$

Since \frac{1}{4} and \frac{11}{4} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{1-11}{4}$$

Subtract 11 from 1 to get -10.

$$\frac{-10}{4}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-10}{4} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

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

Factor

$$-\frac{5}{2} = -2\frac{1}{2} = -2.5$$