Multiply −2 1/2 by −1 3/5 . Write the answer as a decimal.(1 point)

Question

Responses

2.86
2.86

4
4

−4.1
negative 4.1

−4

Answer 1

To multiply the mixed numbers \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\) and \(-1 \frac{3}{5}\), we should first convert them into improper fractions.

1. Convert \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\) to an improper fraction: \[ -2 \frac{1}{2} = -\left(2 \times 2 + 1\right)/2 = -\frac{5}{2} \]

2. Convert \(-1 \frac{3}{5}\) to an improper fraction: \[ -1 \frac{3}{5} = -\left(1 \times 5 + 3\right)/5 = -\frac{8}{5} \]

Now, multiply the two improper fractions: \[ -\frac{5}{2} \times -\frac{8}{5} = \frac{5 \times 8}{2 \times 5} \] The \(-\) signs cancel each other out. Now simplify: \[ = \frac{40}{10} = 4 \]

Thus, the answer as a decimal is \(4.0\).

So the final answer is: 4