Math Problem Statement

Which is the sum of 8 ¾ + 2 ½?  A.  11 1/6  B. 11 ¼  C. 10 ½  D. 10 ¼  

Emily uses 1 2/3 cups of sugar and 3 ¼ cups flour to make muffins. She says she has 1 2/3 more cups of flour than sugar. Do you agree? Explain.   A. Yes; 3 ¼ - 1 2/3 = 1 2/3    B. No, the difference between 3 ¼ and 1 2/3 is 1 1/2 , not 1 2/3.   C. No, the difference between 3 ¼ and 1 2/3 is 1 7/12, not 1 2/3.   D. No; the sum of 3 ¼ and  1 /2/3 is 4 11/12, not 1 2/3.

Solution

Let's tackle each question step-by-step.

First question: What is the sum of 8 ¾ + 2 ½?

  1. Convert to improper fractions:

    • 8 ¾ = 354\frac{35}{4}
    • 2 ½ = 52\frac{5}{2}
  2. Find a common denominator:
    The least common denominator between 4 and 2 is 4.

    • 52=104\frac{5}{2} = \frac{10}{4}
  3. Add the fractions: 354+104=454\frac{35}{4} + \frac{10}{4} = \frac{45}{4}

  4. Convert back to a mixed number: 454=1114\frac{45}{4} = 11 \frac{1}{4}

So, the sum is 11 ¼, which matches Option B.


Second question: Emily uses 1 2/3 cups of sugar and 3 ¼ cups of flour to make muffins. She says she has 1 2/3 more cups of flour than sugar. Do you agree?

  1. Find the difference between 3 ¼ cups of flour and 1 2/3 cups of sugar:

    • 3 ¼ = 134\frac{13}{4}
    • 1 2/3 = 53\frac{5}{3}
  2. Find the common denominator (LCM of 4 and 3 is 12):

    • 134=3912\frac{13}{4} = \frac{39}{12}
    • 53=2012\frac{5}{3} = \frac{20}{12}
  3. Subtract the fractions: 39122012=1912\frac{39}{12} - \frac{20}{12} = \frac{19}{12}

  4. Convert to a mixed number: 1912=1712\frac{19}{12} = 1 \frac{7}{12}

So, the difference is 1 7/12, not 1 2/3. Therefore, Emily is incorrect.

The correct answer is Option C: No, the difference between 3 ¼ and 1 2/3 is 1 7/12, not 1 2/3.


Summary of answers:

  1. The sum of 8 ¾ + 2 ½ is 11 ¼, so the answer is B.
  2. The difference between 3 ¼ cups of flour and 1 2/3 cups of sugar is 1 7/12, so the correct answer is C.

Would you like more details on any of these steps? Here are some related questions for practice:

  1. What is the sum of 5 ½ and 3 ¼?
  2. Subtract 4 2/3 from 7 1/2. What is the result?
  3. How do you convert a mixed number to an improper fraction?
  4. What is the least common denominator of 2/5 and 3/8?
  5. Can you explain how to add fractions with different denominators?

Tip: When adding or subtracting fractions, always find a common denominator first. It makes the operation much easier!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Addition of Mixed Numbers
Subtraction of Mixed Numbers
Improper Fractions
Finding Common Denominators

Formulas

Addition of Fractions
Conversion between Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Theorems

Finding Least Common Denominator

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 5-7