Solve: 1/4 × (1/3 + 1/2) - Mixed Fraction Operations

Fraction Operations with Order of Operations

14(13+12)= ? \frac{1}{4}\cdot\big(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2}\big)=\text{ ?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve the following expression
00:04 Solve the parentheses first
00:08 Multiply by the denominators in order to determine the common denominator
00:22 Make sure to multiply both the numerator and denominator
00:39 Calculate the parentheses
00:53 When multiplying fractions, multiply the numerator by the numerator and the denominator by the denominator
01:00 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

14(13+12)= ? \frac{1}{4}\cdot\big(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2}\big)=\text{ ?}

2

Step-by-step solution

Let's simplify this expression while following the order of operations, which states that exponents come before multiplication and division, which come before addition and subtraction, and that parentheses come before all else.

In the given expression, there is a term in parentheses that needs to be multiplied, so we'll start by simplifying the expression within these parentheses. We'll perform the addition of fractions within this expression, which we'll do by expanding the fractions to their minimal common denominator which is 6 (since it's the minimal common multiple of both fraction denominators in the expression - both 2 and 3), and performing the addition operation in the fraction's numerator.

We know by how much to multiply each of the fraction's numerators when expanding the fractions by answering the question "by how much did we multiply the current denominator to get the common denominator?". After that, we'll simplify the expression in the fraction's numerator:

14(13+12)=1412+136=142+36=1456 \frac{1}{4}\cdot\big(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2}\big)= \\ \frac{1}{4}\cdot\frac{1\cdot2+1\cdot3}{6}= \\ \frac{1}{4}\cdot\frac{2+3}{6}= \\ \frac{1}{4}\cdot\frac{5}{6} \\ When simplifying the expression we got in the fraction's numerator, we must remember that, according to the order of operations mentioned above, multiplication comes before addition.

We'll continue and perform the multiplication of fractions in the expression we got in the last step, remembering that multiplication of fractions is performed by multiplying numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator while keeping the original fraction line:

1456=1546=524 \frac{1}{4}\cdot\frac{5}{6}= \\ \frac{1\cdot5}{4\cdot6}= \\ \frac{5}{24}

To summarise:

14(13+12)=1456=524 \frac{1}{4}\cdot\big(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2}\big)= \\ \frac{1}{4}\cdot\frac{5}{6} = \\ \frac{5}{24}

Therefore the correct answer is answer C.

3

Final Answer

5/24

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Order Rule: Solve parentheses first, then multiply left to right
  • Technique: Find LCD for 13+12 \frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2} using 6 as common denominator
  • Check: Multiply 14×56=524 \frac{1}{4} \times \frac{5}{6} = \frac{5}{24} by cross multiplication ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Multiplying before solving the parentheses
    Don't multiply 14×13 \frac{1}{4} \times \frac{1}{3} first = 112 \frac{1}{12} then add 12 \frac{1}{2} ! This ignores order of operations and gives 712 \frac{7}{12} instead of 524 \frac{5}{24} . Always solve what's inside parentheses first.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 20\div(4+1)-3= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I need to solve the parentheses first?

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Order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) requires parentheses first! Without this rule, everyone would get different answers for the same problem. Always tackle parentheses before multiplication.

How do I add fractions with different denominators?

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Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD)! For 13+12 \frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2} , the LCD is 6. Convert: 26+36=56 \frac{2}{6}+\frac{3}{6}=\frac{5}{6}

Can I simplify the final answer further?

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524 \frac{5}{24} is already in lowest terms because 5 and 24 share no common factors except 1. Always check if your numerator and denominator can be divided by the same number!

What if I multiply the fractions incorrectly?

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Remember: multiply numerator × numerator and denominator × denominator. So 14×56=1×54×6=524 \frac{1}{4} \times \frac{5}{6} = \frac{1×5}{4×6} = \frac{5}{24}

How can I double-check my work?

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Use a calculator to convert to decimals: 5240.208 \frac{5}{24} ≈ 0.208 . Then check: 14×(13+12)=0.25×0.8330.208 \frac{1}{4} × (\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{2}) = 0.25 × 0.833 ≈ 0.208

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