1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $\frac{2}{4} + \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3}{4}$. 2. **Formula and rules:** When adding fractions with the same denominator, add the numerators and keep the denominator the same: $$\frac{a}{d} + \frac{b}{d} = \frac{a+b}{d}$$ 3. **Apply the formula:** $$\frac{2}{4} + \frac{5}{4} + \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2+5+3}{4} = \frac{10}{4}$$ 4. **Simplify the fraction:** Divide numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 2: $$\frac{10}{4} = \frac{10 \div 2}{4 \div 2} = \frac{5}{2}$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$\frac{5}{2}$$