Simplify 4-1/2(4)^2

$4 - \frac{1}{2} {(4)}^{2}$

Simplify each term.

Raise $4$ to the power of $2$ .

$4 - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 16$

Cancel the common factor of $2$ .

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{1}{2}$ into the numerator.

$4 + \frac{- 1}{2} \cdot 16$

Factor $2$ out of $16$ .

$4 + \frac{- 1}{2} \cdot (2 (8))$

Cancel the common factor.

$4 + \frac{- 1}{2} \cdot (2 \cdot 8)$

Rewrite the expression.

$4 - 1 \cdot 8$

Multiply $- 1$ by $8$ .

$4 - 8$

Subtract $8$ from $4$ .

$- 4$