Chapter 0.4, Problem 20E

To determine

To find: The simplest form of the given sum or difference.

Answer to Problem 20E

The simplest form of the sum is $\frac{3}{4}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The given sum is $\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}$ .

Calculation:

Consider the given sum,

  $\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}$

Consider the factors of 2 is,

  $2=1\times 2$

Consider the factors of 4 is,

  $4=2\times 2$

Consider the LCM of 2 and 4 is,

  $2\times 2=4$

Consider the fraction $\frac{1}{2}$ as,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1\times 2}{2\times 2}\\ =\frac{2}{4}\end{array}$

Then, the sum is,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{2}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{2+1}{4}\\ =\frac{3}{4}\end{array}$