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

Question

Responses

−4.1
negative 4.1

4
4

−4
negative 4

2.86
2.86

Answer 1

To multiply \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\) by \(-1 \frac{3}{5}\), let's 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 improper fractions: \[ -\frac{5}{2} \times -\frac{8}{5} \] Since both fractions are negative, their product will be positive: \[ \frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} = \frac{40}{10} = 4 \]

Finally, convert \(4\) into a decimal: \[ 4 = 4.0 \]

Therefore, the answer is: 4.