Question

Add. Write each sum in the lowest terms.

$$\begin{gathered} \frac{5}{12} \\ +\frac{1}{4} \\ \_\_\_\_\_ \end{gathered}$$

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.

$$\begin{gathered} =\frac{5}{12}+\frac{1}{4} \\ =\frac{5}{12}+\frac{3}{12}(Changing\frac{1}{4}toequivalentfractionthathavesamedenominator) \\ =\frac{5+3}{12} \\ =\frac{8}{12}(dividingnumerator\&denominatorbycommonfactor4) \\ =\frac{2}{3} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore the required sum in the lowest term is $\frac{2}{3}$