Solve the Fraction Expression: 3/8 + 1/2 - 1/4

Because fractions represent parts of a whole! Adding $\frac{3}{8}$ and $\frac{1}{2}$ is like adding 3 pieces of pizza cut into 8 slices with 1 piece of pizza cut into 2 slices - they're different sizes!

List the multiples of each denominator until you find the smallest number that appears in all lists. For 8, 2, and 4: multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24... Since 2 and 4 both divide into 8, the LCD is 8.

That's okay! In this problem we got $\frac{5}{8}$ which is proper, but improper fractions are valid answers too. You can convert to mixed numbers if needed, but simplified improper fractions are perfectly acceptable.

Yes! Follow the order of operations. In $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4}$, first add $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{4}{8} = \frac{7}{8}$, then subtract $\frac{7}{8} - \frac{2}{8} = \frac{5}{8}$.

You could convert to decimals, but you might get rounding errors. Since $\frac{1}{8} = 0.125$, working with fractions keeps your answer exact and is usually easier for this type of problem.