Question

Add the following rational numbers:

\[\frac{- 5}{16} and \frac{7}{24}\]

Answer 1

\[\text{The L.C.M. of denominators 16 and 24 is 48} . \]
\[\text{Now, we will express} \frac{- 5}{16} \text{and} \frac{7}{24} \text{in the form in which they take the denominator 48} . \]
\[\frac{- 5 \times 3}{16 \times 3} = \frac{- 15}{48} \]
\[\frac{7 \times 2}{24 \times 2} = \frac{14}{48}\]
\[\text{So}\]
\[\frac{- 5}{16} + \frac{7}{24} = \frac{- 15}{48} + \frac{14}{48}\]
\[ = \frac{( - 15) + 14}{48}\]
\[ = \frac{- 15 + 14}{48}\]
\[ = \frac{- 1}{48}\]