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Let’s evaluate the expression step by step. The expression we need to evaluate is:

–1/2 + 4 – (–1/5) – 5

We can simplify this expression step by step:

  1. Start with the expression:
    –1/2 + 4 + 1/5 – 5
  2. Combine the constants:
    First, let's handle the whole numbers (4 and -5):
    4 – 5 = -1
  3. Your updated expression is now:
    –1/2 – 1 + 1/5
  4. Convert –1 into a fraction:
    –1 can be written as –2/2, so now the expression is:
    –1/2 – 2/2 + 1/5
  5. Combining fractions:
    Now we need a common denominator to combine the fractions. The denominators are 2 and 5, and the least common multiple (LCM) is 10.
    Convert each fraction:
    –1/2 becomes –5/10
    –2/2 becomes –10/10
    1/5 becomes 2/10
  6. Your expression is now:
    –5/10 – 10/10 + 2/10
  7. Combine the fractions:
    (–5 – 10 + 2)/10 = –13/10
  8. Final result:
    The expression evaluates to –13/10.
  9. Convert to mixed number:
    –13/10 can also be expressed as a mixed number. Since 10 goes into 13 one time, with a remainder of 3, we get:
    –1 3/10.

The final answer is –1 3/10 or –13/10.


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