Question

what is the best estimate for the total weight of these cold meat 1 7/8 lb of Bologna 1 and 1/2 pounds of ham and 7/8 lb of roast beef

Answer 1

well, it seems to be just a sum of all quantities, now let's firstly convert the mixed fractions to "improper"and then add them up,


`\bf \stackrel{mixed}{1(7)/(8)}\implies \cfrac{1\cdot 8+7}{8}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{15}{8}} \\\\\\ \stackrel{mixed}{1(1)/(2)}\implies \cfrac{1\cdot 2+1}{2}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{3}{2}}\\\\ -------------------------------\\\\ \cfrac{15}{8}+\cfrac{3}{2}+\cfrac{7}{8}\quad \stackrel{LCD~8}{\implies }\quad \cfrac{15+12+7}{8}\implies \cfrac{34}{8}\implies \stackrel{simplified}{\cfrac{17}{4}}\implies 4(1)/(4)`