Adding Mixed Numbers: 1 1/2 + 1 1/4 as a Fraction
In this article, we will explore how to add two mixed numbers, 1 1/2 and 1 1/4, and express the result as a fraction.
What are Mixed Numbers?
A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. For example, 1 1/2 is a mixed number, where 1 is the whole number part and 1/2 is the fraction part.
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
To add mixed numbers, we need to convert them into improper fractions. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is larger than the denominator.
Let's convert our mixed numbers to improper fractions:
- 1 1/2 = (1 × 2) + 1/2 = 2 1/2 = 5/2
- 1 1/4 = (1 × 4) + 1/4 = 4 1/4 = 9/4
Adding Improper Fractions
Now that we have our improper fractions, we can add them:
5/2 + 9/4 = ?
To add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of 2 and 4 is 4. So, we can convert 5/2 to 10/4:
10/4 + 9/4 = 19/4
Simplifying the Fraction
Our result, 19/4, is an improper fraction. We can simplify it by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 1 in this case:
19/4 = 19/4 (simplified)
Therefore, the result of adding 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 is 19/4 as a fraction.
