### Home > ACC6 > Chapter 5 Unit 5 > Lesson CC1: 5.1.1 > Problem5-8

5-8.

Simplify each of the following expressions. Be sure to simplify each of your answers as much as possible. Write any answers greater than one as mixed numbers.

1. $\quad \frac { 3 } { 5 } + \frac { 1 } { 4 }$

• Make the fractions have the same denominator.

$\left ( \frac{3}{5} \right )\left ( \frac{4}{4} \right )=\frac{12}{20}\ \ \ \ \ \ \left ( \frac{1}{4} \right )\left ( \frac{5}{5} \right )= \frac{5}{20}$

Add the fractions.

$\frac{12}{20}+\frac{5}{20}=\frac{17}{20}$

$\frac{17}{20}$

1. $\frac{3}{4}-\frac{2}{3}$

• You will follow the same steps as in part (a), except that you will subtract two thirds from three fourths, rather than adding them.

$\frac{1}{12}$

1. $5 \frac { 1 } { 2 } + 4 \frac { 1 } { 3 }$

• You can either convert these mixed numbers to fractions greater than one before adding, or you can add their parts. Remember that your answer should be expressed as a mixed number.

1. $\frac { 7 } { 8 } \cdot \frac { 5 } { 6 }$

• To multiply fractions, you multiply the numerators by one another to find the new numerator. The same process is repeated for finding the new denominator.