math help

What is 10/12 + 1/2?

What is 10/12 + 1/2?

Here's how we add

10
12
+
1
2

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

12 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 6, and get 6, then we multiply 2 by 6 and get 12.

1/2 times 6

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

10
12
+
6
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

10 + 6 = 16

That gives us an answer of

16
12

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

16
12
÷ 2 =
8
6

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

8
6
÷ 2 =
4
3

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 10/12 + 1/2

10
12
+
1
2
=
4
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler