Add −3 1/6+5 3/4 . Write your answer as a reduced mixed number.

1 answer

To add \( -3 \frac{1}{6} + 5 \frac{3}{4} \), we first need to convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

  1. For \( -3 \frac{1}{6} \): \[ -3 \frac{1}{6} = -\left(3 \times 6 + 1\right)/6 = -\left(18 + 1\right)/6 = -19/6 \]

  2. For \( 5 \frac{3}{4} \): \[ 5 \frac{3}{4} = 5 \times 4 + 3 = 20 + 3 = 23/4 \]

Next, we add these two improper fractions: \[ -\frac{19}{6} + \frac{23}{4} \]

To add the fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 6 and 4 is 12.

  1. Convert \( -\frac{19}{6} \) to a denominator of 12: \[ -\frac{19}{6} = -\frac{19 \times 2}{6 \times 2} = -\frac{38}{12} \]

  2. Convert \( \frac{23}{4} \) to a denominator of 12: \[ \frac{23}{4} = \frac{23 \times 3}{4 \times 3} = \frac{69}{12} \]

Now we can add the fractions: \[ -\frac{38}{12} + \frac{69}{12} = \frac{69 - 38}{12} = \frac{31}{12} \]

Finally, convert \(\frac{31}{12}\) back to a mixed number:

  • Divide 31 by 12, which results in 2 with a remainder of 7.

Thus: \[ \frac{31}{12} = 2 \frac{7}{12} \]

The answer, written as a reduced mixed number, is: \[ \boxed{2 \frac{7}{12}} \]