Solve: -3/8 - (-5/8) - (-1/2) | Multiple Negative Fractions

To solve the problem $-\frac{3}{8}-(-\frac{5}{8})-(-\frac{1}{2})$, we will follow these steps:

• Step 1: Address the negative signs. Note that subtracting a negative is the same as adding its positive counterpart:
• $-\frac{3}{8}$ remains the same.
• $-(-\frac{5}{8})$ becomes $+\frac{5}{8}$.
• $-(-\frac{1}{2})$ becomes $+\frac{1}{2}$.
• Step 2: Write the expression with the adjusted signs: $-\frac{3}{8} + \frac{5}{8} + \frac{1}{2}$.
• Step 3: Find a common denominator for the fractions. The denominators are 8 and 2. The least common denominator is 8.
• Step 4: Convert all fractions to have this common denominator:
• $-\frac{3}{8}$ is already with a denominator of 8.
• $\frac{5}{8}$ is already with a denominator of 8.
• $\frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{8}$.
• Step 5: Perform the arithmetic operations on the numerators while retaining the common denominator:
$-\frac{3}{8} + \frac{5}{8} + \frac{4}{8} = \frac{-3+5+4}{8}$.
• Step 6: Compute the result: Calculate $-3 + 5 + 4 = 6$, therefore the fraction becomes $\frac{6}{8}$.
• Step 7: Simplify the fraction $\frac{6}{8}$ by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2:
$\frac{6}{8} = \frac{3}{4}$.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $\frac{3}{4}$.