Question

week 3: rational numbers operations
question 23, 1.3.41
perform the indicated operation. if possible, reduce the answer to its lowest terms.
-7\frac{1}{3}+3\frac{5}{6}=\square
(type an integer, fraction, or mixed number.)

Explanation:

Step1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions

$-7\frac{1}{3}=-\frac{7\times3 + 1}{3}=-\frac{22}{3}$, $3\frac{5}{6}=\frac{3\times6+5}{6}=\frac{23}{6}$

Step2: Find a common denominator (6) and add

$-\frac{22}{3}+\frac{23}{6}=-\frac{44}{6}+\frac{23}{6}=\frac{-44 + 23}{6}=\frac{-21}{6}$

Step3: Simplify the fraction

$\frac{-21}{6}=-\frac{7}{2}=-3\frac{1}{2}$

Answer:

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