Question:
Tick (✓) the correct answer
$\left(\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{7}{12}\right)=?$
(a) $-\frac{7}{48}$
(b) $\frac{1}{24}$
(c) $\frac{13}{48}$
(d) $\frac{1}{3}$
Solution:
(c) $\frac{13}{48}$
The denominators of the given rational numbers are 16 and 12 , respectively.
LCM of 16 and 12 is $(4 \times 4 \times 3)$, that is, 48
Now, we have:
$\left(\frac{-5}{16}+\frac{7}{12}\right)=\frac{3 \times(-5)+4 \times 7}{48}$
$=\frac{(-15)+28}{48}$
$=\frac{13}{48}$