Adding Fractions: 1/4 + 1/6 + 1/8
When we are dealing with fractions, adding them together can be a bit tricky. In this article, we will explore how to add three fractions together: 1/4, 1/6, and 1/8.
Understanding Fractions
Before we dive into the addition process, let's quickly review what fractions are. A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number). The numerator tells us how many equal parts we have, and the denominator tells us how many parts the whole is divided into.
Adding 1/4 + 1/6 + 1/8
To add these fractions, we need to follow some rules. First, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. The denominators are 4, 6, and 8.
The LCM of 4, 6, and 8 is 24. So, we need to convert each fraction to have a denominator of 24.
Converting 1/4 to have a denominator of 24
To convert 1/4 to have a denominator of 24, we multiply the numerator and denominator by 6, since 4 x 6 = 24.
1/4 = 6/24
Converting 1/6 to have a denominator of 24
To convert 1/6 to have a denominator of 24, we multiply the numerator and denominator by 4, since 6 x 4 = 24.
1/6 = 4/24
Converting 1/8 to have a denominator of 24
To convert 1/8 to have a denominator of 24, we multiply the numerator and denominator by 3, since 8 x 3 = 24.
1/8 = 3/24
Adding the Fractions
Now that we have converted each fraction to have a denominator of 24, we can add them together.
6/24 + 4/24 + 3/24 = 13/24
Result
The result of adding 1/4, 1/6, and 1/8 is 13/24.
Remember, when adding fractions, we need to find the least common multiple of the denominators and convert each fraction to have that denominator. Then, we can add the fractions together.
