1. **State the problem:** Calculate the expression while keeping fractions in their fractional form. 2. **Formula and rules:** When performing arithmetic with fractions, use the following rules: - To add or subtract fractions, find a common denominator. - To multiply fractions, multiply numerators and denominators directly. - To divide fractions, multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor. 3. **Example calculation:** Suppose we want to calculate $\frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{4}$ keeping fractions. 4. **Find common denominator:** The denominators are 3 and 4, so the common denominator is $12$. 5. **Rewrite fractions:** $$\frac{2}{3} = \frac{2 \times 4}{3 \times 4} = \frac{8}{12}$$ $$\frac{1}{4} = \frac{1 \times 3}{4 \times 3} = \frac{3}{12}$$ 6. **Add fractions:** $$\frac{8}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{8 + 3}{12} = \frac{11}{12}$$ 7. **Final answer:** The sum is $\frac{11}{12}$, kept as a fraction. This method applies to any fraction calculation where you want to keep the result as a fraction rather than converting to decimal.