Solve the Fraction Addition: 1/2 + 1/4 Step-by-Step

To solve this problem, we'll follow these detailed steps:

• Step 1: Identify the least common denominator (LCD)

The denominators given are 2 and 4. The least common multiple of these numbers is 4. Thus, the least common denominator is 4.

• Step 2: Convert each fraction to have the common denominator

We need to convert $\frac{1}{2}$ to a fraction with a denominator of 4. To do this, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator of $\frac{1}{2}$ by 2:

$\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \times 2}{2 \times 2} = \frac{2}{4}$

The fraction $\frac{1}{4}$ already has the denominator 4, so it remains unchanged.

• Step 3: Add the converted fractions

Now add $\frac{2}{4}$ and $\frac{1}{4}$:

$\frac{2}{4} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2+1}{4} = \frac{3}{4}$

Therefore, the sum of $\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4}$ is $\frac{3}{4}$.