To find the largest fraction sum, we need to compare the final answers (the sums) from all 18 problems.
Here are the final sums for each problem:
1) $5/6$
2) $7/12$
3) $7/15$
4) $7/8$
5) $9/14$
6) $9/16$
7) $17/20$
8) $5/18$
9) $5/16$
10) $13/18$
11) $13/25$
12) $17/21$
13) $13/30$
14) $23/36$
15) $27/28$
16) $32/35$
17) $18/25$
18) $23/24$
Step 1: Eliminate fractions less than 1/2
Many of these fractions are quite small (less than half). We can quickly remove them because the largest sum will definitely be bigger than half.
- Removed: $7/15$, $9/16$, $5/18$, $5/16$, $13/30$.
Step 2: Compare the remaining large fractions
Let's look at the biggest contenders. A good trick is to see how close they are to the number
1. The closer the numerator is to the denominator, the larger the fraction.
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Problem 15: $\frac{27}{28}$
This is only $\frac{1}{28}$ away from 1. Since 28 is a fairly large number, $\frac{1}{28}$ is a very tiny piece. This means $\frac{27}{28}$ is extremely close to 1.
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Problem 16: $\frac{32}{35}$
This is $\frac{3}{35}$ away from 1. Let's compare the "missing pieces":
Is $\frac{1}{28}$ smaller or larger than $\frac{3}{35}$?
If we make the denominators the same (using 140):
$\frac{1}{28} = \frac{5}{140}$
$\frac{3}{35} = \frac{12}{140}$
Since $\frac{5}{140}$ is smaller than $\frac{12}{140}$, Problem 15 is missing a smaller piece. Therefore,
$\frac{27}{28}$ is larger than $\frac{32}{35}$.
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Problem 18: $\frac{23}{24}$
This is $\frac{1}{24}$ away from 1.
Compare $\frac{27}{28}$ and $\frac{23}{24}$.
$\frac{27}{28}$ is missing $\frac{1}{28}$.
$\frac{23}{24}$ is missing $\frac{1}{24}$.
Because 28 is bigger than 24, the slice $\frac{1}{28}$ is smaller than $\frac{1}{24}$.
Therefore,
$\frac{27}{28}$ is larger than $\frac{23}{24}$.
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Problem 7: $\frac{17}{20}$
Convert to decimals to check: $17 \div 20 = 0.85$.
$\frac{27}{28} \approx 0.96$. So $\frac{27}{28}$ is much larger.
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Problem 4: $\frac{7}{8}$
$\frac{7}{8}$ is the same as $\frac{21}{24}$. Since $\frac{23}{24}$ is bigger than $\frac{21}{24}$, and we already proved $\frac{27}{28}$ is bigger than $\frac{23}{24}$, then $\frac{27}{28}$ is the winner here too.
Conclusion:
The fraction $\frac{27}{28}$ is the closest to 1 among all the options, making it the largest value.
Final Answer:
The largest sum is 27/28
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of fractions worksheets with answers.