16- Fatima uses \( 2 / 5 \) foot of yarn for her art project. She adds another \( 1 / 15 \) foot to complete the project. How much yarn does Fatima use in all? a) \( 7 / 15 \) b) \( 3 / 15 \) c) 1/15 d) \( 2 / 15 \)

To find the total amount of yarn Fatima uses, we need to add \( \frac{2}{5} \) foot and \( \frac{1}{15} \) foot together. To do this, we first need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 5 and 15 is 15. Now, convert \( \frac{2}{5} \) to have a denominator of 15: \[ \frac{2}{5} = \frac{2 \times 3}{5 \times 3} = \frac{6}{15} \] Now, add \( \frac{6}{15} \) and \( \frac{1}{15} \): \[ \frac{6}{15} + \frac{1}{15} = \frac{6 + 1}{15} = \frac{7}{15} \] So, the total amount of yarn Fatima uses is \( \frac{7}{15} \). a) \( 7 / 15 \) --- Did you know that the concept of fractions has been around since ancient civilizations? The Egyptians used a system of fractions over 4,000 years ago, which laid the groundwork for modern mathematics. They even had special symbols for fractions like \( \frac{1}{2} \) that reflected their practical needs in trade and construction! When working with fractions, a common mistake is forgetting to find a common denominator. Always make sure your fractions share the same bottom number before adding or subtracting! It makes the math much easier and helps avoid errors that can throw off your final answer.