Is this problem "negative one-fourth minus the mixed number three and one-half?" If so, then we need to first change the mixed number 3 1/2 to an improper fraction.
3 1/2 = 7/2
We convert mixed numbers to improper fractions by:
1. Multiplying the denominator of the fraction part of the mixed number by the whole number. In this problem, that would be 2 * 3 = 6.
2. Add the numerator to the product that you found in Step 1. That gives us 6 + 1 = 7.
3. Place the result in Step 2 over the original denominator of the fraction in the mixed number. That yields 7/2.
Our problem is now -1/4 + 7/2
To add these two fractions, we need to find a common denominator. It should be clear that the LCD (least common denominator) is 4.
We now have -1/4 + 14/4
You should be able to handle the rest, Tiffany.
