To compute the product of \(-\frac{3}{8}\) and \(1 \frac{1}{2}\), we can first convert the mixed number \(1 \frac{1}{2}\) into an improper fraction.
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Convert \(1 \frac{1}{2}\) to an improper fraction: \[ 1 \frac{1}{2} = 1 + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \]
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Now, rewrite the expression: \[ -\frac{3}{8} \times \frac{3}{2} \]
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Next, we can multiply the fractions directly: \[ = \frac{-3 \times 3}{8 \times 2} \] \[ = \frac{-9}{16} \]
Thus, another method to compute the product \(-\frac{3}{8} \times 1 \frac{1}{2}\) can be expressed as: \[ -\frac{3}{8} \times \frac{3}{2} \]
Alternatively, you can compute it as: \[ -\frac{3 \times 3}{8 \times 2} = \frac{-9}{16} \]
So, both forms of the expression yield the same result.