What is the total weight of 3 bags if their individual weights are 2/5, 7/10, and 3/5 pound? Give your answer as a mixed number in simplest form.

Answer 1

You need to add: 2/5 + 7/10 + 3/5

There are two ways to solve this:

1-making all fractions with the same denominator and then adding them easily:

2/5 = 4/10 (Equivalent fractions: multiply numerator and denominator by 2, in 2/5)

3/5 = 6/10 (Equivalent fractions: multiply numerator and denominator by 2, in 3/5)

4/10 + 7/10 + 6/10 = 17/10

2-sum by finding the least common denominator (least common multiple):

2/5 + 7/10 + 3/5 =( 4 + 7 + 6) / 10 = 17/10

17/10 = 1 7/10 as a mixed number