Solve: 3/4 + (1/8)m + (2/8)n + (17/8)m = ?

Combining Like Terms with Mixed Fractions

34+18m+28n+178m=? \frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{8}m+\frac{2}{8}n+\frac{17}{8}m=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Simplify the expression
00:03 Mark the appropriate unknowns
00:07 Use the commutative law and arrange the appropriate unknowns together
00:28 Group terms, combine with common denominator
00:54 Convert to mixed fraction
01:01 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

34+18m+28n+178m=? \frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{8}m+\frac{2}{8}n+\frac{17}{8}m=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Simplify the expression by combining like terms and simplifying fractions.
  • Step 2: Analyze coefficients of like terms and reduce them to simplest form.
  • Step 3: Choose the correct multiple-choice option as the final answer.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The expression is 34+18m+28n+178m \frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{8}m+\frac{2}{8}n+\frac{17}{8}m . We identify like terms and consider the fraction denominators.

Step 2: Combine the terms involving m m :

18m+178m=1+178m=188m \frac{1}{8}m + \frac{17}{8}m = \frac{1+17}{8}m = \frac{18}{8}m .

We simplify 188\frac{18}{8} to 94\frac{9}{4}. Therefore, this becomes 94m \frac{9}{4}m .

Step 3: Include the other terms that cannot be further simplified as they are alone. Thus, the entire expression becomes:

34+94m+14n \frac{3}{4} + \frac{9}{4}m + \frac{1}{4}n .

This can be rearranged to 34+214m+14n \frac{3}{4} + 2\frac{1}{4}m + \frac{1}{4}n , where each part is shown in terms of mixed numbers for clearer expression matching.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 34+214m+14n \frac{3}{4}+2\frac{1}{4}m+\frac{1}{4}n .

3

Final Answer

34+214m+14n \frac{3}{4}+2\frac{1}{4}m+\frac{1}{4}n

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Like Terms: Combine variables with same letter, like 18m+178m \frac{1}{8}m + \frac{17}{8}m
  • Technique: Add coefficients: 1+178=188=94 \frac{1+17}{8} = \frac{18}{8} = \frac{9}{4}
  • Check: Convert improper fractions to mixed numbers for final answer ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Adding unlike terms together
    Don't add 28n \frac{2}{8}n to the m terms = mixing variables gives wrong expressions! Variables with different letters cannot be combined. Always group only terms with identical variables together.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 3x+4x+7+2=\text{?} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What are like terms exactly?

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Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power. In this problem, 18m \frac{1}{8}m and 178m \frac{17}{8}m are like terms because both have m as the variable.

Why can't I combine the n term with the m terms?

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Because they have different variables! The term 28n \frac{2}{8}n has variable n, while the other terms have variable m. You can only combine terms with identical variables.

How do I add fractions with the same denominator?

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When denominators are the same, just add the numerators: 18+178=1+178=188 \frac{1}{8} + \frac{17}{8} = \frac{1+17}{8} = \frac{18}{8} . Then simplify if possible!

Why do I need to convert to mixed numbers?

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Mixed numbers like 214 2\frac{1}{4} are often easier to understand than improper fractions like 94 \frac{9}{4} . Plus, the answer choices use mixed number format!

What if I simplified 2/8 to 1/4 first?

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That's perfectly fine! You could write 28n=14n \frac{2}{8}n = \frac{1}{4}n from the start. Either way works - just be consistent with your fraction simplification.

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