What plays a significant role when adding mixed numbers?

When adding mixed numbers, adding the whole numbers first and then the fractions is the correct method to ensure accuracy. This approach allows you to separately manage the integer and fractional parts of the mixed numbers.

To start, you would add the whole number components together. For example, if you are adding 2 1/3 and 3 2/5, you would first add the whole numbers (2 and 3) to get 5. Next, you focus on the fractions (1/3 and 2/5). After that, you would find a common denominator to add the fractions together. Once both parts are added, you can combine the whole number sum and the fraction sum to express the final answer as a single mixed number, ensuring the result is clear and correctly formatted.

Other choices do not follow this systematic approach. Focusing solely on the fractions ignores the importance of the whole numbers in mixed numbers. Converting everything to decimals can complicate the process and may lead to inaccuracies compared to working with fractions directly. Subtracting the fractions from the totals is not relevant in the context of addition, as it misrepresents the operation being performed.