multiply -1.7 by 2 1/2. write the answer as a mixed number in simplest form

Answer 1

To multiply -1.7 by 2 1/2, we need to convert 2 1/2 to a decimal.

To convert 2 1/2 to a decimal, we first multiply the whole number, 2, by the denominator, 2:
2 * 2 = 4

Then, we add the product to the numerator, 1:
4 + 1 = 5

Finally, we divide the sum by the denominator:
5 ÷ 2 = 2.5

Now, we can multiply -1.7 by 2.5:
-1.7 * 2.5 = -4.25

To write the answer as a mixed number in simplest form, we convert the decimal to a fraction.

Ignore the sign for a moment and convert 4.25 to an improper fraction.
Since there are two decimal places, we can write 4.25 as 425/100.

Now, simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, which is 25.
425 ÷ 25 = 17
100 ÷ 25 = 4

Therefore, 4.25 is equal to the fraction 425/100, which simplifies to 17/4.

Now, we bring the sign back. As we multiplied a negative number, -1.7, by a positive number, 2.5, the resulting fraction will be negative.

So, the final answer as a mixed number in simplest form is:
-4 1/4.