Question

Bill ate 1/4 pound of trail mix on his first break during a hiking trip. On his second break, he ate 1/6 pound. How many pounds of trail mix did he eat during both breaks? Explain.

Answer 1

He ate 5/12 in all because 1/4 and 1/6 are equal to 3/12 and 2/12 and the sum of those two is 5/12

Answer 2

Since we know that he ate 1/4 pound one time, and 1/6 another time, we have to add up the fractions. 

1/4+1/6

LCM of 4 and 6 = 12

3/12 + 2/12 

Add the numerators: 

5/12

So, he ate 5/12 of a pound of bars in both breaks. 

Hope this helps!