Sure, let's work through the multiplication step by step.
To multiply [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] by [tex]\(-\frac{5}{2}\)[/tex], follow these steps:
1. Express the multiplication:
[tex]\[
-4 \times \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)
\][/tex]
2. Understand the signs:
- Multiplying two negative numbers results in a positive number.
3. Perform the numerical multiplication:
- Consider the negative signs first. Since both numbers being multiplied are negative, their product will be positive.
- Now, multiply the absolute values of the numbers:
[tex]\[
4 \times \frac{5}{2}
\][/tex]
4. Simplify the multiplication:
- First multiply [tex]\(4\)[/tex] (which is [tex]\(4/1\)[/tex]) by [tex]\(5/2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\frac{4 \times 5}{1 \times 2} = \frac{20}{2}
\][/tex]
- Now, simplify the fraction:
[tex]\[
\frac{20}{2} = 10
\][/tex]
Thus, the result of multiplying [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] by [tex]\(-\frac{5}{2}\)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[
10.0
\][/tex]
