Question

How do write in simplest form given `-7/8-(-3/16)`?

Answer 1

The answer is `-11/16`.

Explanation:

`1.` Before you start, you should immediately recognize that since there are two negatives (one outside the bracket and one inside the bracket), that it will become a positive. In other words, you're doing

`-7/8 + 3/16`.

`2.` Find the lowest common denominator. In this case, it would be `16` since

`8xx2 = 16`

Remember to multiply the top AND bottom by `2`. You should now have

`-14/16 + 3/16`

`3.` Add the two fractions together. For the numerators, you have

`-14 + 3 = -11`

so your answer should be

`-11/16`

`4.` Simplify. This cannot be simplified further, so the answer is `-11/16`