Solve -3left(5/12+7/9right)

$$-3 \left( \frac{ 5 }{ 12 } + \frac{ 7 }{ 9 } \right)$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{43}{12}\approx -3.583333333$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 12 and 9 is 36. Convert \frac{5}{12} and \frac{7}{9} to fractions with denominator 36.

$$-3\left(\frac{15}{36}+\frac{28}{36}\right)$$

Since \frac{15}{36} and \frac{28}{36} have the same denominator, add them by adding their numerators.

$$-3\times \frac{15+28}{36}$$

Add 15 and 28 to get 43.

$$-3\times \frac{43}{36}$$

Express -3\times \frac{43}{36} as a single fraction.

$$\frac{-3\times 43}{36}$$

Multiply -3 and 43 to get -129.

$$\frac{-129}{36}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-129}{36} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 3.

$$-\frac{43}{12}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{43}{12} = -3\frac{7}{12} = -3.5833333333333335$$