Solve the Fraction Addition: 1/2 + 1/8 + 1/4 Step by Step

Question

Solve the following exercise:

12+18+14=? \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{8}+\frac{1}{4}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solution
00:03 We want to find the smallest common denominator
00:06 Therefore we'll multiply 4, 2 respectively for the common denominator 8
00:09 Remember to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:21 Let's calculate the multiplications
00:30 Add under common denominator
00:40 Calculate the numerator
00:43 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

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

  • Step 1: Find the least common denominator of 2, 8, and 4.
  • Step 2: Convert each fraction to have the common denominator.
  • Step 3: Perform the addition of the adjusted fractions.
  • Step 4: Simplify the result if needed.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The denominators are 2, 8, and 4. The least common denominator (LCD) of these numbers is 8.
Step 2: Convert each fraction:
12=1×42×4=48\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \times 4}{2 \times 4} = \frac{4}{8}
18=18\frac{1}{8} = \frac{1}{8} (already in the desired form)
14=1×24×2=28\frac{1}{4} = \frac{1 \times 2}{4 \times 2} = \frac{2}{8}
Step 3: Add the fractions:
48+18+28=4+1+28=78\frac{4}{8} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \frac{4 + 1 + 2}{8} = \frac{7}{8}
Step 4: The fraction 78\frac{7}{8} is already in its simplest form.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 78\frac{7}{8}.

Answer

78 \frac{7}{8}