Khan Academy
Adding \& subtracting nega
Google Classroor
Reduce to simplest form.
\[
-\frac{1}{2}-\frac{2}{5}=
\]
Your answer should be
a simplified proper fraction, like $3 / 5$
Stuck? Review ri a simplified improper fraction, like
$7 / 4$

Answer

Expert–verified

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Answer

$\boxed{-\frac{9}{10}}$

Steps

Step 1 ：Find a common denominator for the two fractions: $\text{lcm}(2, 5) = 10$

Step 2 ：Convert the fractions to have the common denominator: $-\frac{1}{2} = -\frac{5}{10}$ and $-\frac{2}{5} = -\frac{4}{10}$

Step 3 ：Subtract the numerators: $-\frac{5}{10} - \frac{4}{10} = -\frac{5+4}{10}$

Step 4 ：Calculate the result: $-\frac{9}{10}$

Step 5 ：$\boxed{-\frac{9}{10}}$