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

Are the expressions the same or not?

\( 20x \)

\( 2\times10x \)

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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