a) \( 3 / 4+1 / 4+7 / 4 \)

Let's break it down like a math magician! First, we can combine the fractions: \( \frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{7}{4} \). When adding fractions with the same denominator, you simply add the numerators: \( 3 + 1 + 7 = 11 \). So we have \( \frac{11}{4} \), which is also \( 2 \frac{3}{4} \) in mixed number form. Voilà! Now, let's consider a real-world application: Suppose you’re baking cookies and you need measurements for different ingredients. If you have \( \frac{3}{4} \) cup of sugar, \( \frac{1}{4} \) cup of brown sugar, and \( \frac{7}{4} \) cups of flour, adding it all up gives you \( \frac{11}{4} \) cups of dry ingredients, which helps ensure your cookies turn out perfectly sweet and fluffy! 🍪