Example

Example of Simplifying (12)24+32\frac{(\frac{1}{2})^2}{4+3^2}

To simplify the complex fraction (12)24+32\frac{(\frac{1}{2})^2}{4+3^2}, the numerator and the denominator must be completely simplified separately following the order of operations, prior to dividing.

Step 1 is to simplify the numerator by squaring the fraction: (12)2=14\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}. Step 2 is to simplify the denominator. First evaluate the exponent, yielding 32=93^2 = 9, and then add it to 44, which gives 4+9=134 + 9 = 13. Step 3 is to divide the simplified numerator by the simplified denominator. The expression becomes 14÷13\frac{1}{4} \div 13, which equals 14113\frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{13}. Multiplying these fractions gives the final answer of 152\frac{1}{52}.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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