Question

Add. Write each sum in the lowest terms.

$$\begin{gathered} \frac{3}{8} \\ +\frac{3}{16} \\ \_\_\_\_\_ \end{gathered}$$

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.

$$\begin{gathered} =\frac{3}{8}+\frac{3}{16} \\ =\frac{6}{16}+\frac{3}{16}(Changing\frac{3}{8}toequivalentfractionthathavesamedenominator) \\ =\frac{6+3}{16} \\ =\frac{9}{16} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore the required sum in the lowest term is $\frac{9}{16}$