To multiply \(-9 \frac{1}{2}\) by \(0.04\), first convert \(-9 \frac{1}{2}\) into an improper fraction.
\[ -9 \frac{1}{2} = -\frac{19}{2} \]
Now, multiply this by \(0.04\):
\[ -\frac{19}{2} \times 0.04 \]
Convert \(0.04\) to a fraction:
\[ 0.04 = \frac{4}{100} = \frac{1}{25} \]
Now, perform the multiplication:
\[ -\frac{19}{2} \times \frac{1}{25} = -\frac{19 \times 1}{2 \times 25} = -\frac{19}{50} \]
To convert \(-\frac{19}{50}\) into decimal form, divide \(19\) by \(50\):
\[ 19 \div 50 = 0.38 \]
Since it is negative:
\[ -\frac{19}{50} = -0.38 \]
So, the result of multiplying \(-9 \frac{1}{2}\) by \(0.04\) is:
\[ \text{negative } 0.38 \]
The correct response is:
negative 0.38