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How do you simplify #-1/9 + (-5/6)#?

Answer 1

Eli Assouline

#-17/18#

Take out the parenthesis first:

#-1/9+##-5/6#

Make it simple:

#-1/9-5/6#

Subtract by first finding the #"Least common denominator"# or #"LCD"# We can do this by listing out the multiples of #9# and #6# and finding the smallest number that they both have in common:

#color(red)6: 6, 12, color(blue)18#

#color(red)9: 9, color(blue)18, 27 #

The LCD is #18#

In order to subtract, we now need to equalize the denominators. Additionally, any change we make to the denominator must also be made to the numerator.

#-[1/9(2/2)]-[5/6(3/3)]#

#-2/18-15/18#

The previous expression can now be rewritten as...

#(-2-15)/18#

...and deduct to obtain

#-17/18#

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Answer 2

Eva Adamson

To simplify ( -\frac{1}{9} + \left(-\frac{5}{6}\right) ), find a common denominator, which is 18 in this case. Then, perform the addition of the fractions.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.