Question

Multiply −2 1/2 by −1 3/5 . Write the answer as a decimal.(1 point)
Responses

4
4

−4
negative 4

−4.1
negative 4.1

2.86
2.86

Answer 1

To multiply \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\) by \(-1 \frac{3}{5}\), we first convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.

1. Convert \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\):
\[
-2 \frac{1}{2} = -\left(2 \times 2 + 1\right)/2 = -\frac{5}{2}
\]

2. Convert \(-1 \frac{3}{5}\):
\[
-1 \frac{3}{5} = -\left(1 \times 5 + 3\right)/5 = -\frac{8}{5}
\]

Now we multiply the two fractions:
\[
-\frac{5}{2} \times -\frac{8}{5}
\]

Since both fractions are negative, the product will be positive:
\[
\frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} = \frac{40}{10} = 4
\]

Finally, writing \(4\) as a decimal gives:
**4.0**

The answer is **4**.