Question

1. the two largest meteorites found in the u.s. landed in canyon diablo, arizona, and willamette, oregon. the arizona meteorite weighs $33\frac{1}{10}$ tons! oregons weighs $16\frac{1}{2}$ tons. how much do the two meteorites weigh in all?

Explanation:

Step1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions

Arizona meteorite: \( 33\frac{1}{10}=\frac{33\times10 + 1}{10}=\frac{331}{10} \)
Oregon meteorite: \( 16\frac{1}{2}=\frac{16\times2+1}{2}=\frac{33}{2} \)
To add them, we need a common denominator. The common denominator of 10 and 2 is 10. So, \( \frac{33}{2}=\frac{33\times5}{2\times5}=\frac{165}{10} \)

Step2: Add the two fractions

Now add \( \frac{331}{10}+\frac{165}{10}=\frac{331 + 165}{10}=\frac{496}{10} \)

Step3: Convert back to mixed number

Simplify \( \frac{496}{10} \) by dividing numerator and denominator by 2: \( \frac{248}{5} \), and as a mixed number, \( \frac{248}{5}=49\frac{3}{5} \) (or as a decimal, \( 49.6 \))

Answer:

The two meteorites weigh \( 49\frac{3}{5} \) tons (or 49.6 tons) in all.