Answer :

so start:44 3/8 end: 45 1/4
so 44 3/8+x=45 1/4
subtract 44 3/8 from both sides
x=grow=45 1/4-44 3/8
so convert to fractions
45=180/4
45 1/4=181/4

44=352/8
44 3/8=355/8
181/4=362/8
x=362/8-355/8=7/8 inch he grew