Answer asap! really important! must be correct! points given!

 - 5/12  +  ( - 1/4) = 

Adding two negatives results in a negative

-1/4 = -3/12

-3/12 + -5/12  =  -8/12

-8/12 + 3/12    < Subtract and take the sign of the BIGGER number.

8 - 3 = 5

- 5/12

 - 5/12

                                      -5/12 - 1/4 + 3/12

To add fractions, they must all have the same denominator.
Change the -1/4 to twelfths:

               -1/4 = -3/12 .

So now the problem is

                     - 5/12 - 3/12 + 3/12

Notice that the  -3/12  and the  +3/12  knock each other out,
and all you're left with is
                                           - 5/12 .