To find the value of the expression \( \frac{2}{5} + \left( -\frac{1}{3} \right) \), we first need to find a common denominator for the fractions.
The denominators are 5 and 3. The least common multiple of 5 and 3 is 15. Now we will convert both fractions to have a denominator of 15.
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Convert \( \frac{2}{5} \): \[ \frac{2}{5} = \frac{2 \times 3}{5 \times 3} = \frac{6}{15} \]
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Convert \( -\frac{1}{3} \): \[ -\frac{1}{3} = -\frac{1 \times 5}{3 \times 5} = -\frac{5}{15} \]
Now we can add the two fractions: \[ \frac{6}{15} + \left( -\frac{5}{15} \right) = \frac{6 - 5}{15} = \frac{1}{15} \]
Thus, the value of the expression \( \frac{2}{5} + \left( -\frac{1}{3} \right) \) is \( \frac{1}{15} \).
The answer is:
1/15