What is 3/4 plus 3/8, written in simplest form?

• A. 1
• B. 9/8
• C. 2
• D. 3/4

Answer: (B)

Combining fractions with different denominators requires rewriting them to a common bottom number. For 3/4 and 3/8, the common denominator is 8, so rewrite 3/4 as 6/8. Add the numerators: 6/8 + 3/8 = 9/8. This is already in simplest form since 9 and 8 share no common factor other than 1. An easy way to see its size is that 9/8 equals 1 and 1/8. Therefore, the simplest form is 9/8.