Explanation:
Alicia eats 1 and 1/2 (Which means 1 cookie and a half of a cookie, or 0.5.)
Stuart eats 2 and 1/3 (Which means 2 cookies and one third of a cookie, or 0.3333+. Basically, 1/3 means let's say you have a pie. You cut the pie into 3 separate pieces. You eat 2 seperate pieces. You have one left. You have one out of the three, which means 1/3.)
So, you want to add both of those up.
1 + 2 = 3
1/2 + 1/3
To add fractions, you have to get the denominators (Bottom number of the fraction) equal.
So, the least common multiple (LCM) is 6.
Why? let's lay them out.
2: 2, 4, 6
3: 3, 6
These are the LEAST common multiple.
So, you should have
1/6 and 1/6.
Now add the amount of times you did to the numerator (Top number)
So, 1/2
2 + 2 + 2 = 6
3 times, so multiply the numerator by 3.
1 x 3 = 3
3/6
So next, 1/3.
3 + 3 = 6
2 times, so multiply the numerator by 2.
2/6.
Add them both
2/6 + 3/6 = 5/6 (Do not add denominator if they are equal)
+ 3
3 and 5/6 cookies eaten, so
5 - 3 5/6 = 1 & 1/6
1 and 1/6 cookies are left on the plate.