1/2 + ( 3/4+5/8) =
first need to do what is inside the parenthesis first
to add them find a common denominator ( 8) then turn 3/4 into 8ths
4*2 = 8 and 3*2 =6 so 3/4 = 6/8
now you have 6/8 + 5/8 = 11/8 = 1 3/8
now you have 1/2 +1 3/8
again find common denominator (8) again
1/2 = 4/8
so 4/8 + 1 3/8 = 1 7/8