Solve 21/4-43/4=

$$2 \frac{ 1 }{ 4 } -4 \frac{ 3 }{ 4 } =$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{5}{2}=-2.5$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 2 and 4 to get 8.

$$\frac{8+1}{4}-\frac{4\times 4+3}{4}$$

Add 8 and 1 to get 9.

$$\frac{9}{4}-\frac{4\times 4+3}{4}$$

Multiply 4 and 4 to get 16.

$$\frac{9}{4}-\frac{16+3}{4}$$

Add 16 and 3 to get 19.

$$\frac{9}{4}-\frac{19}{4}$$

Since \frac{9}{4} and \frac{19}{4} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{9-19}{4}$$

Subtract 19 from 9 to get -10.

$$\frac{-10}{4}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-10}{4} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

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

Factor

$$-\frac{5}{2} = -2\frac{1}{2} = -2.5$$