SOLUTION: I need help with this equation (I got help last night, but its conflicting with a few other views) 12 1/2 + 1/ 1/3 = The 1 over the 1/3 confuses me, cause according to me thi

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: I need help with this equation (I got help last night, but its conflicting with a few other views) 12 1/2 + 1/ 1/3 = The 1 over the 1/3 confuses me, cause according to me thi      Log On


   

Question 309973: I need help with this equation (I got help last night, but its conflicting with a few other views)
12 1/2 + 1/ 1/3 =
The 1 over the 1/3 confuses me, cause according to me this is 3
So is it right to go 12 1/2 + 3 = ?
(If you use funny signs...can you tell me what they are please?)
Thanks for the help!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, think of 1 as 1%2F1. So this means that 1%2F%281%2F3%29=%281%2F1%29%2F%281%2F3%29


So our goal is to simplify %281%2F1%29%2F%281%2F3%29


%281%2F1%29%2F%281%2F3%29 Start with the given expression.


%281%2F1%29%2A%283%2F1%29 Multiply the first fraction 1%2F1 by the reciprocal of the second fraction 1%2F3 (ie 'flip' the second fraction and multiply)


%281%2A3%29%2F%281%2A1%29 Combine the fractions.


3%2F1 Multiply


3 Reduce.


So 1%2F%281%2F3%29=3. It turns out that 1%2F%281%2Fx%29=x for any 'x' that is not zero. For instance, if x=5, then 1%2F%281%2F5%29=5. So this will save time in the future (hopefully you'll understand how it all works).


So 12%261%2F2%2B1%2F%281%2F3%29 then becomes 12%261%2F2%2B3. Does this help you get moving in the right direction?