Question

Jason ate `5/16` of a chocolate pie. Maria ate `1/4.` What fraction of the pie did they eat altogether?

Answer 1

`9/16`

Explanation:

All together means combined.

To combine them we have:`" "5/16+1/4`

A fraction consists of:

`("count")/("size indicator") ->("numerator")/("denominator")`

You can not DIRECTLY add or subtract the counts unless the size indicators (denominators) are the same.

Multiply by 1 and you do not change the value of the fraction. However, 1 comes in many forms so you can change the way a fraction looks without changing its value.

`color(green)(5/16+[1/4color(red)(xx1)]" "->" "5/16+[1/4color(red)(xx4/4)]`

but `1/4xx4/4 = (1xx4)/(4xx4)=4/16` giving:

`" "color(green)(5/16+4/16=9/16)`