Hello from MrBillDoesMath!
Answer: 19/34
Discussion:
Rewrite the equation as follows (by inserting parentheses)
1/2 + ( -1/5 + 1/5) + (-1/8 + 1/8) + (-1/11 + 1/11) + ( -1/14 + 1/14) + 1/17
Note that the terms in each parenthese add up to 0. (e.g. -1/5 + 1/5 = 0). The sum becomes
1/2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1/17 =>
1/2 + 1/17 =>
17/34 + 2/34 = (17 + 2)/34 = 19/34
Thank you,
MrB
