Solve 1/2(-5)-3/2

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

Evaluate

$$-\frac{8}{5}=-1.6$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 2 and -5 to get -10.

$$\frac{1}{-10}-\frac{3}{2}$$

Fraction \frac{1}{-10} can be rewritten as -\frac{1}{10} by extracting the negative sign.

$$-\frac{1}{10}-\frac{3}{2}$$

Least common multiple of 10 and 2 is 10. Convert -\frac{1}{10} and \frac{3}{2} to fractions with denominator 10.

$$-\frac{1}{10}-\frac{15}{10}$$

Since -\frac{1}{10} and \frac{15}{10} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{-1-15}{10}$$

Subtract 15 from -1 to get -16.

$$\frac{-16}{10}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-16}{10} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$-\frac{8}{5}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{8}{5} = -1\frac{3}{5} = -1.6$$