Question

Adenta begins to evaluate the expression 3 (1/3) times 5 (1/4) using the steps below. Which could be his next step?

[ (3)(6) + (1/3)(5) + (3)(1/4) + (1/3)(1/4) ]
a) 20 (1/12)
b) 20 (5/12)
c) 20 (2/3)
d) 20 (1/4)

Answer 1

To simplify the expression 3 (1/3) times 5 (1/4), you multiply the whole numbers and the fractions separately. Adding the fractions requires a common denominator, which is 12. The final simplified form is 15 + 2 (1/2).

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is evaluating the expression 3 (1/3) times 5 (1/4). To simplify this expression, we multiply the whole numbers and multiply the fractions separately. So the next step would be to calculate (3)(5) = 15, (1/3)(1/4) = 1/12, (3)(1/4) = 3/4, and (1/3)(5) = 5/3. Simplifying further, we get (15) + (1/12) + (3/4) + (5/3). This can be written as 15 + 1/12 + 3/4 + 5/3.

Adding the fractions, 1/12 + 3/4 + 5/3, requires a common denominator, which is 12. Multiplying 1/12 by 1, 3/4 by 3, and 5/3 by 4/4, we get 1/12 + 9/12 + 20/12. Adding the fractions, we get 30/12. Simplifying this fraction, we get 2 (1/2). So the expression 3 (1/3) times 5 (1/4) simplifies to 15 + 2 (1/2).