I need help with 2 math problems?

Question

-1/2 - (-5/8)

Statistics. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the state of Oregon was
-54°F (in Seneca, on February 10, 1933). The state’s record high temperature
occurred in Pendleton on August 10, 1898, when it reached 119°F. What is the
historical temperature range in the state of Oregon?

Answer 1

-1/2 = -4/8; -4/8+5/8 = 1/8

119-(-54) = 173

Answer 2

For the fractions, whenever you are adding or subtracting, you need to have common denominators. So for this problem, since 2 divides into 8 (2*4=8), then 8 is the common denominator. So, find the fraction that is equal to 1/2 but with a denominator of 8. That means you want 4/8. So your problem reduces to:

-1/2 - (-5/8) = -4/8 - (-5/8)

Now simplify the negatives. Remember, subtraction is the same as adding the opposite, so leave the first negative (the one on the -4/8), and change the other two to +'s.
-4/8 + (+5/8) = -4/8 + 5/8
Finally, the rule for adding signed numbers says that if you adding two numbers with different signs, you subtract the "smaller" number from the "larger" number and keep the sign of the "larger" number. Since 5/8 is larger than 4/8, after you subtract you get 1/8, and since 5/8 is positive, your answer is positive. Thus,
-4/8 + 5/8 = 1/8

For the second problem, range means finding the difference between the highest and lowest values. So you need to subtract 119 and -54. Set up as...
119 - (-54)
Use the rule for addition again to get:
119 + (+54) = 119 + 54 = 173
So 173 degrees is the historical range. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

- 1/2-(-5/8)=

-4/8+5/8=1/8

-54+119 is a 173 degree difference

Answer 4

The range is just equal to the highest temperature minus the lowest temperature.

Answer 5

173 degrees