Question

Tom took 1/2hours to clean the den. Then he took 2 1/8 hours to clean the bedroom. How much total time did Tom take to clean the two rooms?

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Answer 1

Answer: 2 5/8 hours ( 2 hours and 38 mins [rounded])

Step-by-step explanation: For the best experience, look at the attachment:

So, first I took the numbers and set up an addition problem. But we have a problem. They both don't have the same denominator. So first, we need to find a common denominator before we add. So, luckily we know that 2 is a factor of 8. So 1/8 would stay the same and we'd multiply the 2 by 4 to get the denominator, and 1 by 4 to get the denominator. Then, you'd add 2 1/8 to 4/8 to get 2 5/8. Also, I converted 5/8 of an hour to get 37.5 mins, so I rounded up to 2 hrs and 38 mins.

Answer 2

Explanation:

First convert the mixed number into a fraction:

2 1/8 = 17/8

And convert 1/2 to 4/8 for greatest common denominator

Then do fraction addition:

4/8 + 17/8 = 21/8

Convert improper fraction to mixed number:

21/8 = 2 5/8

Therefore, Tom took 2 and 5/8 hours to clean the two rooms