Write the following as an algebraic expression.
negative four divided by the sum of $a$ and $\frac{5}{2}$

• A. $\frac{-4}{(a+\frac{5}{2})}$
• B. $\frac{a+\frac{5}{2}}{-4}$
• C. $\frac{-4}{a}+\frac{5}{2}$
• D. $-4(a+\frac{5}{2})$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the phrase "negative four divided by the sum of a and five halves." This means the numerator is -4 and the denominator is the sum of a and 5/2.
2. Write the numerator as \(-4\).
3. Write the denominator as the sum of \(a\) and \(\frac{5}{2}\), which is \(\left(a + \frac{5}{2}\right)\).
4. Combine the numerator and denominator into a single fraction to represent division: \(\frac{-4}{\left(a + \frac{5}{2}\right)}\).
5. This fraction correctly represents "negative four divided by the sum of a and five halves."