3 1/4+5 1/2

3 1/4+5 1/2 turn both terms into improper fractions:

 

13/4 + 11/2 find the LCM of 2 and 4, which is 4

13/4 + 22/4 add up the numerators(the top numbers)

[13 + 22] / 4 =

    35 / 4 = 8 3/4