-7 1/4+2 1/2+ 3

To solve the expression -7 1/4 + 2 1/2 + 3, we first need to convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions. -7 1/4 is the same as -7 + 1/4, which translates to -28/4 + 1/4 = -27/4. 2 1/2 can be rewritten as 2 + 1/2, which equals 5/2. Now, our expression becomes (-27/4) + (5/2) + 3. To add fractions with different denominators, we need to find a common denominator. Here, the common denominator will be 4 * 2 = 8. -27/4 is equivalent to -54/8 when multiplied by 2, and 5/2 is the same as 20/8 when multiplied by 4. Now, our expression becomes (-54/8) + (20/8) + 3. Combining the fractions gives us (-54 + 20)/8 + 3 = -34/8 + 3. Next, simplify the fraction -34/8 to -17/4, then add 3 to get the final answer: -17/4 + 3 = (-17 + 12) / 4 = -5/4. Therefore, the answer to the expression -7 1/4 + 2 1/2 + 3 is -5/4.