Question

Multiply -2 1/2 by -1 3/5. Write the answer as a decimal.
-4
2.86
-4.1
4

Answer 1

To multiply the mixed numbers -2 1/2 and -1 3/5, we first need to convert them to improper fractions.

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

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

Now we need to multiply the two improper fractions:
\[
-\frac{5}{2} \times -\frac{8}{5} = \frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} = \frac{40}{10} = 4
\]

The answer as a decimal is 4.

Thus, the answer is \( \boxed{4} \).