Is this a proper way to solve fractions?

I'm doing Trades Math and as you can imagine it's bit confusing.

Let's say I'm trying to solve for the below question.

22' - 5 3/16"
10' - 1 1/2"
13' - 4 9/16"
+ __________


so here is what we get

v  -  v

45' - 10


ok then we now we work with 1/2. So with "x" it by 8 and get 8/16 now that we have that let's move on.

3/16 + 8/16 + 9/16 = 20/16 now we can't use 20/16 because it's irregular fraction so lets do 20 - 16 = 4 which is written as

16/16 + 4/16 = 4/16 or >>> 1 1/4

So the solution is

45' - 11 1/4'


This is where I'm confused since 16/16 give us 1 do I actually write it as 1 1/4 and then add that to the 10 making it 11 1/4 or does it stay as 10 1/4' ?

• Your stated solution 45' - 11 1/4" is correct (although you changed a double quote to a single quote). I don't understand what you're confused about. Possibly it would help if you backed up to the section of your book dealing with improper fractions. – Wildcard Jan 18 '17 at 23:24
• I was wondering if you add that 1 a/b. Trust me trades math is confusing for example 40' - 14 11/16" is actually supposed to be 41' - 2 11/16" because the 14" is same as 1ft 2in, so we add the 1ft to 40' and then the 2" are left alone making 2 11/16" – 0111010001110000 Jan 18 '17 at 23:27
• Um not really. I did not make that up, the 40' - 14 11/16" becoming 41' - 2 11/16" is the answer the teacher provided on the board. You have to watch for your ft and inches as I mentioned this is not regular math but Trades Math. – 0111010001110000 Jan 18 '17 at 23:31
• Ah, I didn't realize you're using the hyphen to indicate two parts of a figure added together, rather than subtraction. In which case, yes, it's pretty obviously 41 feet and 2 11/16 inches. – Wildcard Jan 18 '17 at 23:34
• 20/16 is a perfectly good number. There's no reason you can't use it. – DanielWainfleet Jan 19 '17 at 1:57

You are right: it is 45' - 11 1/4".

You have 45 feet + 10 inches + 20/16 inches.

20/16 inches is 1 and 1/4 inches, so you have 45 feet + 10 inches + 1 inch + 1/4 inch.

The 1 inch adds in with the 10 and you get 45 feet + 11 inches + 1/4 inch.

• Just wondering because this what I was told. So let's say our answer is 40' - 14 11/16" because 14 is same as 1ft, 2in then the solution answer must be 41' - 2 11/16" – 0111010001110000 Jan 18 '17 at 23:33
• @0111010001110000 If that were your answer, I'd agree. You should carry anything with more than 12 inches over to the feet. However, in your problem you wind up with 11 1/4 inches, which is less than 12 inches. – spaceisdarkgreen Jan 18 '17 at 23:35
• So one more quick question. So let's say my solution was 45' - 12 1/4" would that mean my solution would look like this 46' - 1/4" or would it be 1 1/4" ? as 12 inches is spot on 1ft. – 0111010001110000 Jan 18 '17 at 23:37
• @0111010001110000 It would be $46' - 1/4".$ Try writing it out in english. You have 45 feet + 12 inches + 1/4 inch. 12 inches is 1 foot so you have 45 feet + 1 foot + 1/4 inch = 46 feet + 1/4 inch. – spaceisdarkgreen Jan 18 '17 at 23:39
• thank you, your awesome :) – 0111010001110000 Jan 18 '17 at 23:41