A veterinary technician uses 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz, and 5/8 oz of solution for three tests. What is the total amount used?

A veterinary technician uses 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz, and 5/8 oz of solution for three tests. What is the total amount used?

• A. 1 7/8 oz
• B. 1 3/4 oz
• C. 1 1/2 oz
• D. 1 oz

Answer: (A)

When adding these amounts, use a common denominator. The fractions have denominators 2, 4, and 8, so convert all to eighths: 1/2 = 4/8, 3/4 = 6/8, and 5/8 stays 5/8. Now add them: 4/8 + 6/8 + 5/8 = 15/8. Convert 15/8 to a mixed number: 15 ÷ 8 is 1 with a remainder of 7, so it becomes 1 7/8 oz. This is the exact total dispensed across the three tests. For comparison, sums like 1 3/4 oz (14/8), 1 1/2 oz (12/8), or 1 oz (8/8) are all smaller and don’t match the calculated total.

When adding these amounts, use a common denominator. The fractions have denominators 2, 4, and 8, so convert all to eighths: 1/2 = 4/8, 3/4 = 6/8, and 5/8 stays 5/8. Now add them: 4/8 + 6/8 + 5/8 = 15/8. Convert 15/8 to a mixed number: 15 ÷ 8 is 1 with a remainder of 7, so it becomes 1 7/8 oz. This is the exact total dispensed across the three tests. For comparison, sums like 1 3/4 oz (14/8), 1 1/2 oz (12/8), or 1 oz (8/8) are all smaller and don’t match the calculated total.