Solve 1/4+1/4-7/12-1/4

$$\frac { 1 } { 4 } + \frac { 1 } { 4 } - \frac { 7 } { 12 } - \frac { 1 } { 4 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{1}{3}\approx -0.333333333$$

Solution Steps

Since \frac{1}{4} and \frac{1}{4} have the same denominator, add them by adding their numerators.

$$\frac{1+1}{4}-\frac{7}{12}-\frac{1}{4}$$

Add 1 and 1 to get 2.

$$\frac{2}{4}-\frac{7}{12}-\frac{1}{4}$$

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

$$\frac{1}{2}-\frac{7}{12}-\frac{1}{4}$$

Least common multiple of 2 and 12 is 12. Convert \frac{1}{2} and \frac{7}{12} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$\frac{6}{12}-\frac{7}{12}-\frac{1}{4}$$

Since \frac{6}{12} and \frac{7}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{6-7}{12}-\frac{1}{4}$$

Subtract 7 from 6 to get -1.

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

Least common multiple of 12 and 4 is 12. Convert -\frac{1}{12} and \frac{1}{4} to fractions with denominator 12.

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

Since -\frac{1}{12} and \frac{3}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

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

Subtract 3 from -1 to get -4.

$$\frac{-4}{12}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-4}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 4.

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

Factor

$$-\frac{1}{3} = -0.3333333333333333$$