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Exercises Numbers, fractions and percents

Example 4.52 from Prealgebra, 4.4 Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators

Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators: example 4.52

Use a model to find the sum $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution

Start with three $\frac{1}{8} + \frac{4}{8}$ pieces.

Add two $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces.

How many $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces are there?

There are five $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces, or five-eighths. The model shows that $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \frac{5}{8} .$

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Use a model to find each sum. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

$\frac{1}{8} + \frac{4}{8}$

How did it go?

PreviousMultiply and Divide Mixed Numbers and Complex Fractions: example 4.51 Next Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators: example 4.53

From Prealgebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 4.4, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.