Randy solved the following problem: 7/8 + 9/15. He said, "I can add 7 and 9 to get 16 and add 8 and 15 to get 23. The answer is 16/23. " Is Randy correct? Explain your answer.

He added two fractions by adding the numerators and adding the denominators. That is incorrect.

To add two fractions, you must first have he same denominator in both.

Then you add the numerators and write the same denominator. You do not add the denominators.