[FIND the answer of Y.] 1) Multiply the denominator of a mixed fraction (4) by the whole number (-2). We get -8. 2) Forget about the negative for this one. Add 1 to 8 to get 9. Then we put the negative in the number, which is now -9. We do the same thing for the other mixed fraction (-1 2/5). KEEP THE VARIABLE (y)! -a. -9 and -7 are numerators 3) Keep the denominators of both mixed fractions (4 and 5) and turn it to a new equation. (-9/4=-7/5+y) 4) INVERSE OPERATION: The fraction with the variable (which is -7/5) has to be positive to make 0. (EX: -7/5+7/5=0, or in a better way; -5+5=0) Add 7/5 to both sides of the equal sign. 5) Since -9/4 and 7/5 have different denominators, we want them to be the same, so we find the Least Common Denominator. -a. (-9/4's denominator (4) should be multiplied by 5 to get 20) -b. (7/5's denominator (5) should be multiplied by 4 to get 20

6) Multiply the numbers(5 and 4) by the numerators(-9 and 7) -a. ( -9 times 5 = -45) -b. ( 7 times 4 = 28) -c. -45 and 28 are numerators of the denominator (20) 7) NEW EQUATION: -45/20 + 28/20 8) Add the numerators! (INTEGER RULES!) -a. Since 45 has a negative sign and 28 is positive, let's take the easy way; forget about the negative sign of 45 and treat it like a basic subtraction problem: 45-28 -b. 45-28= 17 -c. We return back the negative sign and it's now -17. -d. Now the answer to the ENTIRE PROBLEM (-2 1/4= -1 2/5 + y) is -17/20. In other words, y is -17/20. y= -17/20

Sorry if I exploded you with an explanation that probably doesn't make sense ;-;