Question

Add the following rational numbers:

$\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{7}{-16}$

Answer 1

Given : $\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{7}{-16}$

Here, $\frac{7\times -1}{-16\times -1}=\frac{-7}{16}$ (Multiplying numerator and denominator by $-1$)

So, $\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{-7}{16}$

$$\begin{gathered} =\frac{-5-7}{16} \\ =\frac{-12}{16} \\ =\frac{-{\displaystyle \stackrel{3}{\cancel{12}}}}{{\displaystyle \underset{4}{\cancel{16}}}} \end{gathered}$$

Hence, $\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{7}{-16}=\frac{-3}{4}$