Question

a pancake recipe uses $\frac{1}{2}$ teaspoon of vanilla for the batter and $\frac{1}{8}$ teaspoon of vanilla for the syrup. add to find the total amount of vanilla. $\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{8}=\frac{?}{?}$ teaspoon

Explanation:

Step1: Find a common denominator

The common - denominator of 2 and 8 is 8. We rewrite $\frac{1}{2}$ with a denominator of 8. Since $2\times4 = 8$, then $\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1\times4}{2\times4}=\frac{4}{8}$.

Step2: Add the fractions

Now we add $\frac{4}{8}+\frac{1}{8}$. According to the rule of adding fractions with the same denominator $a/b + c/b=(a + c)/b$, so $\frac{4}{8}+\frac{1}{8}=\frac{4 + 1}{8}=\frac{5}{8}$.

Answer:

$\frac{5}{8}$