In Allenville it snowed 4 2/5 inches in the morning and 8 1/10 inches in the afternoon. What was the total amount of snowfall?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

1 answer

To find the total amount of snowfall in Allenville, we need to add the two amounts of snow together:

  1. Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:

    • For \( 4 \frac{2}{5} \): \[ 4 \frac{2}{5} = \frac{4 \times 5 + 2}{5} = \frac{20 + 2}{5} = \frac{22}{5} \]
    • For \( 8 \frac{1}{10} \): \[ 8 \frac{1}{10} = \frac{8 \times 10 + 1}{10} = \frac{80 + 1}{10} = \frac{81}{10} \]
  2. Find a common denominator for the two fractions:

    • The denominators are 5 and 10. The least common denominator (LCD) is 10.
  3. Convert \( \frac{22}{5} \) to have a denominator of 10: \[ \frac{22}{5} = \frac{22 \times 2}{5 \times 2} = \frac{44}{10} \]

  4. Now add the two fractions: \[ \frac{44}{10} + \frac{81}{10} = \frac{44 + 81}{10} = \frac{125}{10} \]

  5. Simplify \( \frac{125}{10} \):

    • Both the numerator and the denominator can be divided by 5: \[ \frac{125 \div 5}{10 \div 5} = \frac{25}{2} \]
  6. Convert \( \frac{25}{2} \) to a mixed number: \[ 25 \div 2 = 12 \quad \text{with a remainder of } 1 \]

    • So, \( \frac{25}{2} = 12 \frac{1}{2} \).

Thus, the total amount of snowfall in Allenville was \( \boxed{12 \frac{1}{2}} \) inches.