document.write( "Question 773133: I'm 52, with a grade school math level trying to get up to near high school level before I enter college this fall. Trying to learn fractions, and do ok now with add, subtract, multiply and divide (whether mixed or improper or proper). HOWEVER, I am completely stumped when it comes to positive and negative numbers with fractions. I realize this must be a very easy answer for you, but here's an example, and I need to understand EACH STEP of the way, since how I've been doing it when all positive numbers isn't coming up with the correct answer.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(-3 5/8) - 4 2/5 = ?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I've got one source that says the answer is -8 1/40 and another that claims -7 9/40 is correct. My own answers vary greatly as I'm totally confused. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #471317 by Edwin McCravy(20055) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(-3 5/8) + 4 2/5
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document.write( "They have different signs so we subtract them and take the sign\r\n" );
document.write( "of the one which has the largest absolute value:\r\n" );
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document.write( "    \r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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