Fraction in simplest form

Question

Tom made a shirt using 1/5 meters of red fabric and 3/4 meters of yellow fabric. How many meters of fabric did he use in all?

Answer 1

Hi Nacole,

Tom made a shirt using 1/5 meters of red fabric and 3/4 meters of yellow fabric. How many meters of fabric did he use in all?

With word problems I first write down the information given:

1. Red Fabric: 1/5 meters
2. Yellow Fabric: 3/4 meters

Next, Identify the question being asked.

1. How many meters of fabric did he use in all?

There are a few key words in this question to help you understand how to write the equation.

It's asking you to find how many meters used in all

The in all indicates the question is asking for a total amount. This means we need to add the lengths of fabric together.

1/5 + 3/4 = Total

We have 2 fractions with different denominators. "To add or combine, they must be the same kind" We need to find the least common denominator.

To find least common denominator, you write out the multiples of 5 and 4 and find the smallest one they have in common

1. 5,10,15,20,25,30
2. 4,8,12,16,20,24

20 is the least common denominator. 5x4=20 4x5=20

Next. Find the equivalent fractions for 1/5 and 3/4

1. multiply 1/5 by 4/4 1/5 x 4/4 = 4/20
2. multiply 3/4 by 5/5 3/4 x 5/5 = 15/20

Now we have 2 fractions that have the same denominator and we can add them

1. 4/20 + 15/20 = 19/20

You need 19/20 m of fabric In All.

Hope this help. Let me know if you need more clarification :)