-4 1/4 - (-9 1/2).....distribute the negative thru the parenthesis -4 1/4 + 9 1/2 .....turn to improper fractions - 17/4 + 19/2...common denominator is 4 -17/4 + 38/4 ....when ur dealing with 2 different signs, u subtract and take the sign of the largest number -17/4 + 38/4 = 21/4...turn to mixed number = 5 1/4
OR once u get to -4 1/4 + 9 1/2...turn to decimals -4 1/4 = -4.25 9 1/2 = 9.5