Question

How do you simplify `(-30/7) + -6`?

Answer 1

`-72/7`

Explanation:

We have `(-30/7)+ -6`. We could use a calculator to find the decimal value of `-30/7` and then add it to `-6`, but let's solve this using fractions.

So, `-30/7+ - 6` can be rewritten as `-30/7-6/1`. In order to add or subtract fractions, the denominators must be equal. To do that, let's multiply `-6/1` by `7/7`. That gives us `-42/7`.

Now we have `-30/7-42/7`. I don't know about you, but I don't like dealing with negatives, so let's just factor out those negatives, which would give us `-(30/7+42/7)`. Now we just add the numerators and leave the denominators alone. We should arrive at `-(72/7)`. Factor that negative back in and we have `-72/7`