Chapter 7: Problem 76
Evaluate each expression. \(\frac{1}{8}+\frac{5}{12}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression evaluates to \(\frac{13}{24}\).
Step by step solution
01
Find a Common Denominator
To add fractions, they need a common denominator. The denominators of the fractions are 8 and 12. The least common multiple of 8 and 12 is 24.
02
Convert Fractions to Have the Common Denominator
Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 24. For \(\frac{1}{8}\): Multiply both numerator and denominator by 3 to get \(\frac{1}{8} = \frac{3}{24}\).For \(\frac{5}{12}\):Multiply both numerator and denominator by 2 to get \(\frac{5}{12} = \frac{10}{24}\).
03
Add the Fractions
Now that both fractions have a common denominator, add their numerators: \(\frac{3}{24} + \frac{10}{24} = \frac{13}{24}\).
04
Simplify the Result
Check if \(\frac{13}{24}\) can be simplified. Since 13 is a prime number and does not divide 24, the fraction is already in its simplest form.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Least Common Multiple
The least common multiple, commonly abbreviated as LCM, is a crucial concept when dealing with fractions. It helps us find a common ground between two or more numbers. For example, to add the fractions \(\frac{1}{8}\) and \(\frac{5}{12}\), we need to determine the smallest number that both 8 and 12 can divide into wholly.
- 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, ...
- 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, ...
Equivalent Fractions
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that name the same part of a whole. Understanding this concept is vital for addition or subtraction of fractions, as it enables us to convert them to have a common denominator without changing their value.For instance, in the example \(\frac{1}{8}\), multiplying both the numerator and denominator by 3 yields \(\frac{3}{24}\). Similarly, for \(\frac{5}{12}\), multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 2 results in \(\frac{10}{24}\).
- \(\frac{1}{8} \times \frac{3}{3} = \frac{3}{24}\)
- \(\frac{5}{12} \times \frac{2}{2} = \frac{10}{24}\)
Simplifying Fractions
Simplifying a fraction involves reducing it to its simplest form, where the numerator and the denominator have no common factor other than 1. In basic terms, a simplified fraction cannot be reduced further. Once you have added or subtracted fractions, as we did with \(\frac{3}{24} + \frac{10}{24} = \frac{13}{24}\), check if the resulting fraction can be simplified.For \(\frac{13}{24}\), 13 is a prime number. Due to its prime nature and the fact it does not divide 24, \(\frac{13}{24}\) is already as simple as it gets.
- *Identify common factors of numerator and denominator*
- *Divide both by their greatest common factor (GCF)*
Common Denominator
The term "common denominator" is frequently encountered while working with fractions, especially during addition and subtraction. A common denominator is simply a shared multiple between the denominators of the fractions we are dealing with.Finding this number allows us to manipulate fractions in a way that is mathematically valid and visually understandable. In our example, after determining the least common multiple of 8 and 12, we adjust the fractions so they both have the common denominator, 24.
- Replace initial fractions: \(\frac{1}{8} = \frac{3}{24}\)
- Replace initial fractions: \(\frac{5}{12} = \frac{10}{24}\)