… wondering if someone could guide me step-by-step [in] how to solve this equation.
1/3 (-4) + 4
Hi gzgz. First, a note about vocabulary. We don't call that an equation. (All equations contain an equals sign.) We call it an 'expression'. Your job is to 'simplify' the given expression. That is, they'd like you to express its value, as a single fraction.
In the first reply, yoscar posted about the
Order of Operations. Your expression contains two arithmetic operations (addition and multiplication). Order of Operations tells us to do the multiplication before the addition.
Hopefully, you've already learned how to multiply a Whole number by a fraction (like one-third times four). If that's where you got stuck, let us know.
Next, have you learned the
rules for determining the sign of a product, when multiplying signed numbers? If not, check your textbook's index or use the link, to learn the rules.
After multiplying \(\frac{1}{3}\) × \(\text{-}\frac{4}{1}\), you'll need to get a common denominator, before adding the 4 at the end. That topic was covered, before assigning this exercise. If the concept of common denominators is where you need help, then please review how to add fractions (let us know, if you don't understand your textbook).
Otherwise, please show us how far you got, so that we may see what you're trying. Thanks.
*The (-4) is attached to the whole fraction, not just the denominator.*
That's correct. Were we to type a different fraction whose numerator is 1 and denominator is 3(4), we would enclose the denominator inside grouping symbols. Like this:
1/(3(4)) \(\quad\)
OR \(\quad\) 1/[3(4)]
?
