Verified Answer :

  • Identify the least common denominator (LCD) for 2, 6, and 3, which is 6.
  • Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with the LCD: \(\frac{3}{6}, \frac{5}{6}, \frac{8}{6}\).
  • Sum the fractions to obtain \(\frac{16}{6}\).
  • Simplify and convert the final fraction: \(\frac{16}{6} = \frac{8}{3} = \boxed{2 \frac{2}{3}}\).

Explanation

  1. Finding the Common Denominator

To find the sum of \(\frac{1}{2} + \frac{5}{6} + \frac{4}{3}\), we need to add these three fractions. The first step is to ensure that the fractions have a common denominator. The denominators are 2, 6, and 3. We find the least common multiple (LCM) of these numbers. The multiples of 2 are 2, 4, 6, 8... The multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18... The multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9... The smallest common multiple among these is 6.

  1. Converting to Equivalent Fractions

Now, we convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6:

  • For \(\frac{1}{2}\): Multiply both numerator and denominator by 3, so \(\frac{1 \times 3}{2 \times 3} = \frac{3}{6}\).
  • For \(\frac{5}{6}\): The denominator is already 6, so it remains \(\frac{5}{6}\).
  • For \(\frac{4}{3}\): Multiply both numerator and denominator by 2, so \(\frac{4 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{8}{6}\).
  1. Adding the Fractions

Now that all fractions have the same denominator, we add the numerators:
\[\frac{3}{6} + \frac{5}{6} + \frac{8}{6} = \frac{3 + 5 + 8}{6}\]
Summing the numerators: \(3 + 5 + 8 = 16\).
So the sum is \(\frac{16}{6}\).

  1. Simplifying and Converting the Result

To simplify \(\frac{16}{6}\), we find the greatest common divisor of 16 and 6, which is 2. Dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 2 gives:
\[\frac{16 \div 2}{6 \div 2} = \frac{8}{3}\]
To express this as a mixed number, we divide 8 by 3. Since 3 goes into 8 two times with a remainder of 2, the mixed number is \(2 \frac{2}{3}\).

Examples

Adding fractions with different denominators is a fundamental skill used in many daily tasks, such as cooking or construction. For instance, if you are measuring ingredients for a recipe, you might need to add \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup of flour, \(\frac{5}{6}\) cup of sugar, and \(\frac{4}{3}\) cups of oats. By finding a common denominator, you can easily determine the total volume of dry ingredients required, which is \(2 \frac{2}{3}\) cups, ensuring your measurements remain precise for your cooking needs.