How old is Katie if her mother is 3 times as old as her, but was 4 times older than her 4 years ago? A. 12 years old
B. 8 years old
C. 36 years old
D. 32 years old

The correct answer is:

negative six and thirty-three fortieths

Explanation:

To multiply (2 5/8)(-2 3/5), we first change each mixed number to an improper fraction.  To do this, we multiply each whole number by the denominator and add the numerator:

(2*8)+5 = 16+5 = 21; this makes 2 5/8 = 21/8

(2*5)+3 = 10+3 = 13; this makes -2 3/5 = -13/5

This gives us

(21/8)(-13/5) = (21*-13)/(8*5) = -273/40

40 will go into 273 6 times; this gives us the number -6.  There is then 270-240 = 33 left over; this gives us 33/40, and a total of -6 33/40.