Solve -1/3+1/4-5/12

$$- \frac{ 1 }{ 3 } + \frac{ 1 }{ 4 } - \frac{ 5 }{ 12 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{1}{2}=-0.5$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 3 and 4 is 12. Convert -\frac{1}{3} and \frac{1}{4} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$-\frac{4}{12}+\frac{3}{12}-\frac{5}{12}$$

Since -\frac{4}{12} and \frac{3}{12} have the same denominator, add them by adding their numerators.

$$\frac{-4+3}{12}-\frac{5}{12}$$

Add -4 and 3 to get -1.

$$-\frac{1}{12}-\frac{5}{12}$$

Since -\frac{1}{12} and \frac{5}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{-1-5}{12}$$

Subtract 5 from -1 to get -6.

$$\frac{-6}{12}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-6}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 6.

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

Factor

$$-\frac{1}{2} = -0.5$$