Chapter 0.4, Problem 16E

To determine

To calculate: The simplified form of $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}$ .

Answer to Problem 16E

The simplified form of $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}$ is $\frac{3}{2}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

The statement “ $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}$ .”

Formula used:

When two or more fractions with same denominators are added or subtracted then only numerators are added or subtracted , denominator remains unchanged.

Consider the provided statement “ $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}$ .”

Recall that when two fractions having same denominator are added then only numerators are added, denominator remains unchanged.

So, the given expression can be simplified as,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}=\frac{5+7}{8}\\ \frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}=\frac{12}{8}\end{array}$

Now,

  $12$ can be written as the product of 4 and 3.

8 can be written as the product of 4 and 2.

So, $\frac{12}{8}$ can be further simplified as,

  $\frac{12}{8}=\frac{4\times 3}{4\times 2}$

Striking off the common terms, we get,

  $\frac{12}{8}=\frac{3}{2}$

Hence, the simplified form of $\frac{5}{8}+\frac{7}{8}$ is $\frac{3}{2}$ .