Michael J. answered • 03/02/17
Tutor
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Applying SImple Math to Everyday Life Activities
2/3 is the fraction part of the problem. 3 and 2 are the whole pieces of the fraction.
In the first group, which is 3 2/3, set up 3 long strips with the same length to represent the mixed number 3. Set up 2 strips that are 1/3 the length of the longer strip. In other words, the 2 smaller strips are 1/3 the length of the longer strip.
In the second group, which is 2 2/3, set up 2 long strips with the same length to represent the mixed number 2. Set up 2 strips that are 1/3 the length of the longer strip. In other words, the 2 smaller strips are 1/3 the length of the longer strip.
Now we put the two groups together. You have 5 long strips and 4 quantities of 1/3 strips.
If we put 3 quantities of 1/3 strips built together, you have another strip the same length as the long strip. You now have 6 long strips in total. Finally, you have 1 quantity of 1/3 strips left. You don't have enough to make another long strip the same length of the longer one. So the total fraction for that strip is 1/3.
The total number of strips you have in total is 6 1/3. Therefore,
3 2/3 + 2 2/3 = 6 1/3
I could not draw the illustration here, so you will have to go with my wording.
