we do the whole #s first.
2+1 =3.
now for the fractions(we want the bottom # to be the same so we can add them)
1 7
-- --
12 8
a common multiple of both bottom # is 24. so we mult 1/12 by 2 to get 2/24 and 7/8 by 3 to get 21/24
so now we are left with 2/24+21/24 which is 23/24.
add on the 3 from the first part to get 3 and 23/24.