Amy, let's start by adding the whole numbers. 2 + 1 = 3. Let's sit that off to the side.
Now, we add the fractions...
1/3 + 3/4 + 1/6. To add fractions, we need to find a common denominator, or find the LCM if 3, 4, and 6...
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
4, 8, 12, 16, 20
6, 12, 18, 24, 30
What's the lowest common number? 12, which can be broken down into 2 x 2 x 3.
What is missing from the denominator in 1/3? We need 2 x 2 x 3, and we have 3, so we need to multiply the numerator and denominator by 2 x 2, or 4.
1/3 × 4/4 = 4/12
How about 3/4. We have 2 x 2 in the denominator but need the 3.
3/4 × 3/3 = 9/12
Lastly, 1/6. 6 = 2 x 3, so we need another 2.
1/6 x 2/2 = 2/12
Hey, now we can add. 4/12 + 9/12 + 2/12 = 15/12. Since 12/12 = 1, we have 3 extra 12ths left, so 15/12 = 1 3/12.
We still have that 3 on the shelf. 3 + 1 3/12 = 4 3/12.
3/12 also reduces. The GCF of 3 and 12 is 3. 3/12 ÷ 3/3 = 1/4.
Soooooo, our final answer is 4 1/4.
Hope this helps!
