Answer:
[tex]\frac{-117}{10}[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
1) Change the mixed fractions into improper fractions:
[tex]-3\frac{1}{5} + (-8\frac{1}{2} )\\= \frac{-16}{5} - \frac{17}{2}[/tex]
2) Multiply the first fraction by 2/2 and the second fraction by 5/5 in order to create common factors on the denominator (You can do this because you are essentially multiplying by one, for example 2/2 = 1):
[tex]\frac{-16}{5} *\frac{2}{2} - \frac{-17}{2} * \frac{5}{5} \\ =\frac{-32}{10} - \frac{85}{10}[/tex]
3) Simplify the numerator(top part) while keeping the denominator(bottom part) the same:
[tex]\frac{-32}{10} -\frac{85}{10} \\\\=\frac{-32 - 85}{10}\\ \\= \frac{-117}{10}[/tex]
