Question

Multiply −1 3/8 by 4. Write the answer as a mixed number.

Answer 1

To multiply \(-1 \frac{3}{8}\) by \(4\), we first convert the mixed number to an improper fraction.

1. The mixed number \(-1 \frac{3}{8}\) can be converted as follows:

\[
-1 \frac{3}{8} = -\left(1 \times 8 + 3\right)/8 = -\left(8 + 3\right)/8 = -\frac{11}{8}
\]

2. Now, multiply \(-\frac{11}{8}\) by \(4\):

\[
-\frac{11}{8} \times 4 = -\frac{11 \times 4}{8} = -\frac{44}{8}
\]

3. We can simplify \(-\frac{44}{8}\):

\[
-\frac{44}{8} = -\frac{11}{2} \quad (dividing \, the \, numerator \, and \, the \, denominator \, by \, 4)
\]

4. To convert \(-\frac{11}{2}\) back into a mixed number:

\(-\frac{11}{2} = -5 \frac{1}{2}\), since \(11\) divided by \(2\) is \(5\) with a remainder of \(1\).

Thus, the final answer is:

\[
\boxed{-5 \frac{1}{2}}
\]