SOLUTION: 1/3+(-5/6)+(-1/2)= I do not understand how to work this problem.

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Question 286903: 1/3+(-5/6)+(-1/2)=
I do not understand how to work this problem.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Take things one at a time. First, let's compute 1%2F3%2B%28-5%2F6%29. This is the same as 1%2F3-5%2F6

Solved by pluggable solver: Fractions Solver


1%2F3-5%2F6 Start with the given expression




In order to subtract these two fractions, these fractions need to have a common denominator.


In order to do that, we simply find that the LCM of 3 and 6 is 6 (note: if you need help with finding the LCM, check out this solver)


Now we need to get each denominator to 6



%282%2F2%29%281%2F3%29-5%2F6 Multiply 1%2F3 by %282%2F2%29


2%2F6-5%2F6 Multiply 1%2F3 and %282%2F2%29 to get 2%2F6



Since both fractions have a common denominator of 6, we can now combine the fractions


%282-5%29%2F6 Combine the fractions


-3%2F6 Subtract the numerators



So

1%2F3-5%2F6=-3%2F6



If want to reduce the fraction, -3%2F6 reduces to -1%2F2 (note: click here if you need help with reducing fractions)





Since 1%2F3-5%2F6=-1%2F2, the problem 1%2F3%2B%28-5%2F6%29%2B%28-1%2F2%29 simplifies to -1%2F2%2B%28-1%2F2%29 (I replaced the first two terms with -1%2F2)


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Now let's compute -1%2F2%2B%28-1%2F2%29. This is the same as -1%2F2-1%2F2


Solved by pluggable solver: Fractions Solver


-1%2F2-1%2F2 Start with the given expression



Since both fractions have a common denominator of 2, we can now combine the fractions


%28-1-1%29%2F2 Combine the fractions


-2%2F2 Subtract the numerators



So

-1%2F2-1%2F2=-2%2F2



If want to reduce the fraction, -2%2F2 reduces to -1%2F1 (note: click here if you need help with reducing fractions)




note: -1%2F1=-1


So -1%2F2%2B%28-1%2F2%29=-1


So finally, this means that 1%2F3%2B%28-5%2F6%29%2B%28-1%2F2%29=-1