Question

Suppose that the first team member in a 3-person relay race must run 2 1/4 laps, the second team member must run 1 1/2 laps, and the third team member must run 3 5/8 laps. How many laps in all must each team run?

Answer 1

You need to add up all 3 mixed numbers to find the total laps.

2 + 1/4 + 1 + 1/2 + 3 + 5/8 =

(2 + 1 + 3) + (1/4 + 1/2 + 5/8) =

6 + (2/8 + 4/8 + 5/8) =

6 + (11/8) =

6 + (1 + 3/8) =

7 3/8 laps

Answer 2

Answer: There are
`7(3)/(8)` laps in all.

Explanation:

Since we have given that

Number of laps must run by first team =
`2(1)/(4)=(9)/(4)`

Number of laps must run by second team =
`1(1)/(2)=(3)/(2)`

Number of laps must run by third team =
`3(5)/(8)=(29)/(8)`

So, total number of laps in all must run is given by

`(9)/(4)+(3)/(2)+(29)/(8)\\\\=(18+12+29)/(8)\\\\=(59)/(8)\\\\=7(3)/(8)`

Hence, there are
`7(3)/(8)` laps in all.