To multiply \(4\) by \(-\frac{5}{8}\), follow these steps:
- Convert \(4\) to a fraction: \(4 = \frac{4}{1}\).
- Multiply the fractions: \[ \frac{4}{1} \times -\frac{5}{8} = \frac{4 \times -5}{1 \times 8} = \frac{-20}{8} \]
- Simplify \(\frac{-20}{8}\):
- Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is \(4\): \[ \frac{-20 \div 4}{8 \div 4} = \frac{-5}{2} \]
- Convert \(\frac{-5}{2}\) to a mixed number:
- Since \(-5\) divided by \(2\) is \(-2\) with a remainder of \(1\), the mixed number form is: \[ -2 \frac{1}{2} \]
Thus, the answer as a mixed number in simplest form is \(-2 \frac{1}{2}\).
The correct response is: −2 1/2
2 answers