To solve \( -2 \frac{1}{2} \times -1 \frac{3}{5} \) and express the result as a decimal, we first convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.
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Convert \( -2 \frac{1}{2} \): \[ -2 \frac{1}{2} = -\left(2 \times 2 + 1\right)/2 = -\frac{5}{2} \]
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Convert \( -1 \frac{3}{5} \): \[ -1 \frac{3}{5} = -\left(1 \times 5 + 3\right)/5 = -\frac{8}{5} \]
Now we can multiply these two improper fractions: \[ -\frac{5}{2} \times -\frac{8}{5} \]
Multiplying the fractions: \[ \frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} \]
The \( 5 \) in the numerator and denominator cancels out: \[ \frac{8}{2} = 4 \]
Finally, as a decimal, \( 4 \) is simply: \[ 4.0 \]
Thus, the final answer is: \[ 4.0 \]