Question

Perform the indicated operations. Simplify your answer 2/5 + 3/4 - 1/2 + 3/8

Answer 1

The given expression is

`(2)/(5)+(3)/(4)-(1)/(2)+(3)/(8)`

To simplify the expression, arrange the indicated operation so that addition comes first

`(2)/(5)+(3)/(4)+(3)/(8)-(1)/(2)`

Then we take the LCM of the denominators

The LCM of the denominators gives

`40`

We now simplify the expression using this common multiplier

`\begin{gathered} (2)/(5)+(3)/(4)+(3)/(8)-(1)/(2) \\ (16+30+15-20)/(40) \end{gathered}`

Then, we add and subtract the numerator

`(61-20)/(40)=(41)/(40)`

Therefore the answer is

`1(1)/(40)`