Answer
$-\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}$
Work Step by Step
Apply the equivalent fractions rule, $\quad \displaystyle \frac{a}{-b}=\frac{-a}{b}=-\frac{a}{b}$
$\displaystyle \frac{-1}{-4}=-\frac{1}{-4}=-(-\frac{1}{4})=+\frac{1}{4}$
So, the problem becomes
$=\displaystyle \left(-\frac{2}{1} \right) \cdot\left(+\frac{1}{4} \right)$
Multiplying two numbers with different signs:
Multiply their absolute values; the sign of the result is "$-$".
$=-\displaystyle \left(\frac{2}{1}\cdot\frac{1}{4} \right)$
Multiply fractions:
Reduce by the common factor, 2.
$=-\displaystyle \left(\frac{1}{1}\cdot\frac{1}{2} \right)$
Now, multiply the numerators and place them over the product of the denominators.
$=-\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}$
