Add:
(3/2a) + (5/2a)
Possible answers:
8/4a, 2/a, 15/4a2^ or 4/a
get a common denominator... 2a
now add the numerators
Put the numerators over the common denominator. Reduce the fraction.
I will be happy to check your work
PsyDAG told you the answer is 8/2a. I told you to simplify his answer.
What is 8 divided by 2?
Sandra, the placing of brackets is crucial here
The way you placed them makes them insignificant, it is the same thing as
3/2a + 5/2a
According to the rules of operations, this is the same as
(3/2)a + (5/2)a
= (8/2)a
= 4a
so you must have meant:
3/(2a) + 5/(2a) , the way both bob and Ms Sue read your question
= 8/(2a)
= 4/a
Can you see why those brackets were absolutely essential ?
e.g.
suppose a = 10
then your expression is
3/2*10 + 5/2*10 = 40
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=3%2F2*10+%2B+5%2F2*10
vs
3/(2*10) + 5/(2*10) = 2/5
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=3%2F%282*10%29+%2B+5%2F%282*10%29+
Thank you, now I can.
To add fractions, you need to have a common denominator. In this case, the denominator is already the same, which is 2a.
So, let's add the numerators and keep the denominator the same:
3/2a + 5/2a = (3 + 5) / 2a = 8/2a = 4/1a = 4/a
Therefore, the answer is 4/a.