12. \( \frac{7}{16}+\frac{3}{8} \)

To combine the fractions \( \frac{7}{16} \) and \( \frac{3}{8} \), we need a common denominator. The number 16 is already a multiple of 8, so we can convert \( \frac{3}{8} \) to its equivalent with a denominator of 16: \[ \frac{3}{8} = \frac{3 \times 2}{8 \times 2} = \frac{6}{16} \] Now, we can add the fractions: \[ \frac{7}{16} + \frac{6}{16} = \frac{13}{16} \] Thus, the answer is \( \frac{13}{16} \). To spice things up, did you know that fractions date back thousands of years? The ancient Egyptians used a unique system for representing fractions, often breaking them down into sums of unit fractions, where the numerator was always 1! Next time you tackle fractions, channel your inner Egyptian mathematician—it’s a fun way to see numbers! If you're doing your math homework, always double-check that you've converted all fractions to the same denominator before adding or subtracting! It's a common pitfall to overlook, leading to mistakes. Plus, practicing with different types of denominators can help solidify your understanding. Happy calculating!