Simplify the expression in 3 steps:
4 / (-2)x -1/2
To simplify the expression 4 / (-2)x -1/2, we can follow these steps:
Step 1: Simplify the multiplication portion of the expression.
Multiply the number preceding the variable by the variable itself. In this case, we have (-2)x, which can be written as -2x.
So, the expression becomes: 4 / -2x - 1/2
Step 2: Simplify the division portion of the expression.
To divide a number by a product, divide the number by each factor individually.
Divide 4 by -2, which gives us -2.
Divide -1 by 2, which gives us -1/2.
So, the expression becomes: -2x - 1/2
Step 3: Combine like terms if possible.
In this case, there are no like terms to combine.
Therefore, the simplified expression is:
-2x - 1/2.