To simplify the expression \(-\frac{5}{8} - \frac{1}{4}\), we first need a common denominator. The denominator of the first fraction (8) and the denominator of the second fraction (4) have a least common denominator of 8.
Now, we will convert \(\frac{1}{4}\) to have a denominator of 8: \[ \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1 \times 2}{4 \times 2} = \frac{2}{8} \] Now we can rewrite the expression: \[ -\frac{5}{8} - \frac{2}{8} \]
Next, we combine the fractions: \[ -\frac{5}{8} - \frac{2}{8} = -\frac{5 + 2}{8} = -\frac{7}{8} \]
Thus, the simplified expression is: \[ -\frac{7}{8} \]