How much fruit was bought?

Question

On a trip to the market, you purchased 3 1/2 pounds of peaches, 2 3/4 pounds of apples, and 1 1/8 pounds of blueberries. How much fruit did you buy ?

Answer 1

This is a problem of adding fractions.

 

There are several steps.

 

First convert each number from a mixed number to a "common" fraction:

 

3 1/2 = 7/2

2 3/4 = 11/4

1 1/8 = 9/8

 

Second, find the least common denominator for the fractions you want to add.  In this case it would be 8, because 8 is the smallest number that is divisible by all three of the denominators.

 

Third, convert all of the fractions so that they have 8 as the denominator:

 

7/2 = 28/8

11/4 = 22/8

9/8 doesn't have to be changed

 

Fourth, add all the fractions.  Since the denominators are now all the same, you just add the numerators.  So:

 

28/8 + 22/8 + 9/8 = (28 + 22 + 9) / 8 = 59 / 8

 

Finally, if you want, convert the result back to a mixed number.  59 / 8 = 7 3/8

 

So the answer is 7 3/8 pounds.

 

Answer 2

Presuming this question is only asking for a weight of fruit purchased, add the fractions:

3 1/2 + 2 3/4 + 1 1/8 [First find a least common denominator-Remember improper fractions are ok]

28/8 + 22/8 + 9/8 = 59/8 = 7 3/8

 

If the question is asking for the number of fruits, then there is not enough information.  We would need to know how many peaches are in a pound,, etc.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Norman