Solve the Fraction Expression: 3/8 + 1/2 - 1/4

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solution

00:03 We want to find the least 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

00:22 Let's calculate the multiplications

00:29 Add under common denominator

00:36 Calculate the numerator, one operation at a time

00:41 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem, let's work through the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the least common denominator (LCD) for all fractions.
- The denominators are 8, 2, and 4. The LCM of these numbers is 8.
Step 2: Convert each fraction to have this common denominator of 8.
- $\frac{3}{8}$ is already with a denominator of 8.
- $\frac{1}{2}$ can be rewritten as $\frac{4}{8}$ because $\frac{1 \times 4}{2 \times 4} = \frac{4}{8}$ .
- $\frac{1}{4}$ can be rewritten as $\frac{2}{8}$ because $\frac{1 \times 2}{4 \times 2} = \frac{2}{8}$ .
Step 3: Perform the arithmetic operations.
- Add $\frac{3}{8}$ and $\frac{4}{8}$ , which gives $\frac{3 + 4}{8} = \frac{7}{8}$ .
- Subtract $\frac{2}{8}$ from $\frac{7}{8}$ , giving $\frac{7 - 2}{8} = \frac{5}{8}$ .
Step 4: Simplify the answer if necessary.
$\frac{5}{8}$ is already in its simplest form.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $\frac{5}{8}$ .