5. Timothy needs \( \frac{1}{2} \) cup of bread crumbs for a casserole and \( \frac{1}{3} \) cup of bread crumbs for the topping. How many cups of bread crumbs does Timothy need?

To find out how many cups of bread crumbs Timothy needs, simply add the two amounts together. First, convert \( \frac{1}{2} \) and \( \frac{1}{3} \) to a common denominator, which is 6 in this case. So, \( \frac{1}{2} \) becomes \( \frac{3}{6} \) and \( \frac{1}{3} \) becomes \( \frac{2}{6} \). Now, add the two fractions: \[ \frac{3}{6} + \frac{2}{6} = \frac{5}{6} \] Thus, Timothy needs \( \frac{5}{6} \) cup of bread crumbs for his casserole and topping! But here's a fun twist: Did you know that breadcrumbs have been around since ancient Roman times? They were primarily used as a way to absorb moisture or add texture to dishes! If you ever find yourself in a similar cooking conundrum, remember that using a common denominator for fractions can save time and confusion. Also, double-checking your measurements can prevent disasters – no one wants too little or too much breading on their casserole!