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

Question

Responses

2.86
2.86

−4
negative 4

−4.1
negative 4.1

4

Answer 1

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

1. Convert \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\): \[ -2 \frac{1}{2} = -\left(2 \times 2 + 1\right) / 2 = -\left(4 + 1\right) / 2 = -5/2 \]

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

3. Multiply the fractions: \[ \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right) \times \left(-\frac{8}{5}\right) = \frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} = \frac{40}{10} = 4 \]

Thus, \(-2 \frac{1}{2} \times -1 \frac{3}{5} = 4\).

The final answer written as a decimal is:

4