How do write in simplest form given #5/8+7/8#?

1 Answer
Mar 3, 2018

#3/2#

Explanation:

When adding fractions, we always want the denominator to be the same. As in this instance, they are, we just add the numerators, keeping the denominator on the bottom.

#5/8+7/8 -> 12/8# as #5+7=12#

Now we need to find a number that can go into both #12# and #8#

As #8# is the smallest number, the number has to be #≤8#

#8# does not go into #12#
#7# goes doesn't go into #8# or #12#
#6# goes into #12#, but not #8#
#5# doesn't go into #8# or #12#
#4# goes into #8# and #12#

#therefore# we can simplify this ratio by dividing all terms by #4#

#12/8 -> 3/2# as #12/4=3# and #8/4=2#