Q. Evaluate the expression shown below and write your answer as a fraction in simplest form.−203−(−81)Answer:
Identify Given Expression: Identify the given expression and the operation to be performed.The given expression is −(203)−(−(81)). We need to subtract the second fraction from the first one, taking into account the negative signs.
Simplify with Double Negative: Simplify the expression by removing the double negative.The double negative in the expression −(203)−(−(81)) turns the second term into a positive, so the expression becomes:−(203)+(81)
Find Common Denominator: Find a common denominator for the fractions.The denominators are 20 and 8. The least common multiple of 20 and 8 is 40, so we will use 40 as the common denominator.
Convert to Common Denominator: Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with the common denominator.For the first fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by 2 to get:−(203)⋅(22)=−(406)For the second fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by 5 to get:(81)⋅(55)=(405)
Perform Subtraction: Perform the subtraction using the common denominator.Now that both fractions have the same denominator, we can combine the numerators:−406+405=40−6+5
Simplify and Final Answer: Simplify the numerator and write the final answer.The simplified numerator is −1, so the final answer is:(−6+5)/40=−1/40
More problems from Multiplication with rational exponents