How do you simplify 16 1/2

Question

How would you simplify 16 1/2

Answer 1

Think of it as adding two numbers 16 + 1/2 (When you say "16 and a half", using the conjunction and is a way of saying add the two numbers) You can't add them until they have the same denominator. In front of 16 is the implied 1, or 16(1). It may seem silly to write (1) since multiplication by 1 does nothing but we can use it to find the least common denominator.

16(1) = 16 * (2/2) = (16 * 2) / 2 = 32 / 2

Now add the fractions

16 + 1/2 = 32/2 + 1/2 = 33/2

Answer 2

This is a compound fraction. To simplify, you multiply 2*16 and add 1. So the simplified fraction is 33/2.