Roberto's cat weighed 6 3/4 pounds last year. Then the cat gained 1 1/2 pounds. How much does the cat weigh now?

Add the gain and the last weight together

new weight = 6 3/4 + 1 1/2

or we can write it as

new weight = 6 + 3/4 + 1 + 1/2

Separate whole numbers and fraction

new weight = 6 + 3/4 + 1 + 1/2

new weight = 6 + 1 + 3/4 + 1/2

Simplify the whole numbers

new weight = 6 + 1 + 3/4 + 1/2

new weight = 7 + 3/4 + 1/2

Equalize the denominators of the fraction

new weight = 7 + 3/4 + 1/2

new weight = 7 + 3/4 + 2/4

new weight = 7 + 5/4

Because 5/4 is improper fraction, change it to mixed fraction

new weight = 7 + 5/4

new weight = 7 + 1 1/4

new weight = 7 + 1 + 1/4

new weight = 8 + 1/4

new weight = 8 1/4

The cat weights 8 1/4 pounds now