Question

Patrick is climbing on the side of a mountain. He first climbs down 1/2 mile and then descends another 7/8 of a mile. How many miles is Patrick from his starting point?

a) 3/8 miles
b) 1 mile
c) 3/4 miles
d) 1 3/8 miles

Answer 1

To determine the distance Patrick is from his starting point after descending 1/2 mile and another 7/8 mile, the fractions are added together. The total distance is 1 3/8 miles, which is answer choice d.

Step-by-step explanation:

Patrick is climbing on the side of a mountain. He first climbs down 1/2 mile and then descends another 7/8 of a mile. To find out how many miles he is from his starting point, you combine these two distances by adding the fractions.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Convert fractions to have a common denominator.
2. Add fractions with the common denominator.
3. Simplify the fraction if possible.

1/2 mile is equivalent to 4/8 mile (since 2 x 4 = 8).

So, 4/8 mile + 7/8 mile = 11/8 miles.

11/8 miles is equivalent to 1 3/8 miles.

Therefore, Patrick is 1 3/8 miles from his starting point. The correct answer is (d) 1 3/8 miles.