Solve (-17/8)+(-31/2)

$$( - 1 \frac { 7 } { 8 } ) + ( - 3 \frac { 1 } { 2 } )$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{43}{8}=-5.375$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 1 and 8 to get 8.

$$-\frac{8+7}{8}-\frac{3\times 2+1}{2}$$

Add 8 and 7 to get 15.

$$-\frac{15}{8}-\frac{3\times 2+1}{2}$$

Multiply 3 and 2 to get 6.

$$-\frac{15}{8}-\frac{6+1}{2}$$

Add 6 and 1 to get 7.

$$-\frac{15}{8}-\frac{7}{2}$$

Least common multiple of 8 and 2 is 8. Convert -\frac{15}{8} and \frac{7}{2} to fractions with denominator 8.

$$-\frac{15}{8}-\frac{28}{8}$$

Since -\frac{15}{8} and \frac{28}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{-15-28}{8}$$

Subtract 28 from -15 to get -43.

$$-\frac{43}{8}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{43}{8} = -5\frac{3}{8} = -5.375$$