Solve 5/8-11/2

$$\frac{ 5 }{ 8 } -1 \frac{ 1 }{ 2 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{7}{8}=-0.875$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 1 and 2 to get 2.

$$\frac{5}{8}-\frac{2+1}{2}$$

Add 2 and 1 to get 3.

$$\frac{5}{8}-\frac{3}{2}$$

Least common multiple of 8 and 2 is 8. Convert \frac{5}{8} and \frac{3}{2} to fractions with denominator 8.

$$\frac{5}{8}-\frac{12}{8}$$

Since \frac{5}{8} and \frac{12}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{5-12}{8}$$

Subtract 12 from 5 to get -7.

$$-\frac{7}{8}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{7}{8} = -0.875$$