Question

evaluate the expression.
$-\frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{5} + -\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{1}{2}$
write your answer as a fraction o

Explanation:

Step1: Perform multiplication first (PEMDAS)

Multiply \(-\frac{2}{5}\) and \(\frac{1}{2}\).
\(-\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{1}{2} = -\frac{2 \times 1}{5 \times 2} = -\frac{1}{5}\)

Step2: Substitute back and add fractions

Now the expression becomes \(-\frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{5} + (-\frac{1}{5})\). First, combine \(\frac{3}{5}\) and \(-\frac{1}{5}\):
\(\frac{3}{5} + (-\frac{1}{5}) = \frac{3 - 1}{5} = \frac{2}{5}\)
Then add \(-\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{2}{5}\). Find a common denominator, which is 20:
\(-\frac{1}{4} = -\frac{5}{20}\), \(\frac{2}{5} = \frac{8}{20}\)
\(-\frac{5}{20} + \frac{8}{20} = \frac{-5 + 8}{20} = \frac{3}{20}\)

Answer:

\(\frac{3}{20}\)