Solve for m m-1 1/2=-5/4

$m - 1 \frac{1}{2} = - \frac{5}{4}$

Step 1

Simplify the left side.

Convert $1 \frac{1}{2}$ to an improper fraction.

A mixed number is an addition of its whole and fractional parts.

$m - (1 + \frac{1}{2}) = - \frac{5}{4}$

Add $1$ and $\frac{1}{2}$ .

Write $1$ as a fraction with a common denominator.

$m - (\frac{2}{2} + \frac{1}{2}) = - \frac{5}{4}$

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$m - \frac{2 + 1}{2} = - \frac{5}{4}$

Add $2$ and $1$ .

$m - \frac{3}{2} = - \frac{5}{4}$

Step 2

Move all terms not containing $m$ to the right side of the equation.

Add $\frac{3}{2}$ to both sides of the equation.

$m = - \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3}{2}$

To write $\frac{3}{2}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$m = - \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{2}$

Write each expression with a common denominator of $4$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

Multiply $\frac{3}{2}$ by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$m = - \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3 \cdot 2}{2 \cdot 2}$

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$m = - \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3 \cdot 2}{4}$

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$m = \frac{- 5 + 3 \cdot 2}{4}$

Simplify the numerator.

Multiply $3$ by $2$ .

$m = \frac{- 5 + 6}{4}$

Add $- 5$ and $6$ .

$m = \frac{1}{4}$

Step 3

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$m = \frac{1}{4}$

Decimal Form:

$m = 0.25$