Pre-Algebra Examples

$\frac{1}{4} + \frac{- 1}{2}$

Step 1

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2}$

Step 2

To write $- \frac{1}{2}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{2}$

Step 3

Write each expression with a common denominator of $4$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 3.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{2}$ by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$\frac{1}{4} - \frac{2}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 3.2

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$\frac{1}{4} - \frac{2}{4}$

Step 4

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{1 - 2}{4}$

Step 5

Subtract $2$ from $1$ .

$\frac{- 1}{4}$

Step 6

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{1}{4}$

Step 7

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$- \frac{1}{4}$

Decimal Form:

$- 0.25$