Multiply −2 1/2 by −1 3/5. Write the answer as a decimal.
To multiply the mixed numbers, first convert them to improper fractions:
$-\frac{2}{2}-\frac{1}{2}=-\frac{5}{2}$
$-\frac{1}{5} + 1 = -\frac{6}{5}$
Now, we can multiply the fractions:
$-\frac{5}{2}\cdot-\frac{6}{5}=\frac{5\cdot6}{2\cdot5}=\frac{30}{10}=3$
Finally, as a fraction, our answer is 3, which as a decimal is $\boxed{3}$.
To multiply −2 1/2 by −1 3/5, we need to convert these mixed numbers into improper fractions.
−2 1/2 = -5/2
−1 3/5 = -8/5
Now, we can multiply the two fractions:
(-5/2) * (-8/5) = (5 * 8) / (2 * 5) = 40/10 = 4
The answer is 4, which can also be written as 4.0 in decimal form.