Neelam’s father needs \(1\tfrac{3}{4}\) m of cloth for the skirt and \(\tfrac{1}{2}\) m for the scarf. How much cloth must he buy in all?
\(2\tfrac{1}{4}\,\text{m}\)
Goal: Find total cloth needed.
Idea: Total = cloth for skirt + cloth for scarf.
Write the mixed number as an improper fraction:
\(1\tfrac{3}{4} = \tfrac{7}{4}\)
Make both fractions have the same denominator:
\(\tfrac{1}{2} = \tfrac{2}{4}\)
Add the fractions:
\(\tfrac{7}{4} + \tfrac{2}{4} = \tfrac{9}{4}\)
Change the improper fraction to a mixed number:
\(\tfrac{9}{4} = 2\tfrac{1}{4}\)
Include the unit (metres):
Answer: \(2\tfrac{1}{4}\,\text{m}\)
So, Neelam’s father must buy \(2\tfrac{1}{4}\) metres of cloth in total.