Question

subtract.
$-dfrac{1}{3}-dfrac{5}{9}$
write your answer in simplest form.

Explanation:

Step1: Find a common denominator

The denominators are 3 and 9. The least common denominator is 9. Rewrite $-\frac{1}{3}$ with denominator 9: $-\frac{1}{3}=-\frac{1\times3}{3\times3}=-\frac{3}{9}$

Step2: Subtract the fractions

Now we have $-\frac{3}{9}-\frac{5}{9}$. When subtracting fractions with the same denominator, we subtract the numerators: $-\frac{3 + 5}{9}=-\frac{8}{9}$

Answer:

$-\frac{8}{9}$