# Math Help - what am i doing wrong? help?

1. ## what am i doing wrong? help?

the problem is 2/3 (-1/4) + 1/2

i cant get the right answer which is 1/3. i keep getting 4/12 or 1/12.

2. Originally Posted by benjixbunn
the problem is 2/3 (-1/4) + 1/2

i cant get the right answer which is 1/3. i keep getting 4/12 or 1/12.
Show us how you keep getting 4/12 or 1/12. Can not correct bad behaviors, if we do not know what you are doing. I will say, that one of the answers you "keep getting", is the right answer; it just hasn't been reduced. Both show us both of your methods that lead you to 4/12 or 1/12.

3. Originally Posted by benjixbunn
the problem is 2/3 (-1/4) + 1/2

i cant get the right answer which is 1/3. i keep getting 4/12 or 1/12.
4/12=4/(3x4)=1/3

(I agree with ANDS!, better to show what you have been suffering for)

4. Originally Posted by benjixbunn
the problem is 2/3 (-1/4) + 1/2

i cant get the right answer which is 1/3. i keep getting 4/12 or 1/12.
$\frac{2}{3}\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) + \frac{1}{2}$

$= - \frac{2}{12} + \frac{6}{12}$

$= \frac{4}{12}$

$= \frac{4\cdot 1}{4\cdot 3}$

$= \frac{1}{3}$.

5. ## reduce

ahhh reduce...gotcha