Question

Add. Write each sum in the lowest terms.

$$\begin{gathered} \frac{1}{8} \\ +\frac{5}{16} \\ \_\_\_\_\_ \end{gathered}$$

Answer 1

If the denominators are different, we change to equivalent fractions that have the same denominator.

Also, if one denominator is a multiple of the other, the greater number can be used as a common denominator.

$$\begin{gathered} =\frac{1}{8}+\frac{5}{16} \\ =\frac{2}{16}+\frac{5}{16}(Changing\frac{1}{8}toequivalentfractionthathavesamedenominator) \\ =\frac{2+5}{16} \\ =\frac{7}{16}(Sumisinlowestform) \end{gathered}$$

Therefore the required sum in the lowest term is $\frac{7}{16}$