Question

Adding and simplifying the fractions: 3/8+1/2+2/3.. I just got into this class and i don't understand how to do this..

Answer 1

you need to fit them all into something that they can relate to .... or algebra thru it

Answer 2

How so?

Answer 3

\[\frac{3}{8}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{2}{3}=N\]
\[\frac{3(8)}{8}+\frac{1(8)}{2}+\frac{2(8)}{3}=(8)N\]
\[3+4+\frac{16}{3}=8N\]
\[3(3)+4(3)+\frac{16(3)}{3}=8(3)N\]
\[9+12+16=24N\]
\[9+28=24N\]
\[37=24N\]
\[\frac{37}{24}=N\]

Answer 4

do you see what i did?

Answer 5

if it doesnt make sense, youll have to speak up, and if it dies make sense ... you can still speak up :)

Answer 6

wow, thanks alot

Answer 7

that seems overly complicated unless I'm missing something. Wouldn't you just create common denominators?

Answer 8

its the same process; just in a difference light

Answer 9

its still complicated but atleast not i can grasp onto the concept of it. I will be able to look back at what you did to understand it later , so thanks alot

Answer 10

all your doing is assigning it to some arbitrary value "N" and solveing for N

Answer 11

youre welcome :)

Answer 12

No, I like how you did it. It just seems like a lot of arbitrary steps as opposed to just multiplying it out. I dunno, I haven't taken a fraction class in like 10 years.

Answer 13

3/8+1/2+2/3
=(3*3+4*12+2*8)/24
=9+48+16/24
=73/24

Answer 14

\[\frac{3}{8}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{2}{3}=N;\ cd,\ 24?\]
\[\frac{3}{8}\frac{3}{3}+\frac{1}{2}\frac{12}{12}+\frac{2}{3}\frac{8}{8}=N\]
\[\frac{9}{24}+\frac{12}{24}+\frac{16}{24}=N\]
\[\frac{9+12+16}{24}=N\]
\[\frac{9+28}{24}=N\]
\[\frac{37}{24}=N\]

Answer 15

Yeah, when you write it out I guess it's about the same. Don't really think about it much when you do it in your head.

Answer 16

:) i like to think of math as being fluid and bendable; as opposed to a strict formula that has to be done by the "teachers" methods ... just my thoughts

Answer 17

the hard part with fractions is trying to determine a suitable common denominator, so the first method just does that for you

Answer 18

Yeah, that makes sense when you start getting into larger numbered fractions.