math help

What is 2/8 + 3/6?

What is 2/8 + 3/6?

Here's how you add

2
8
+
3
6

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 2 by 6, and get 12, then we multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

2/8 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 8, and get 24, then multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

3/6 times 8

We now have a new problem, that looks like this:

12
48
+
24
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

12 + 24 = 36

Answer:

36
48

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

36
48
÷ 2 =
18
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

18
24
÷ 2 =
9
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

9
12
÷ 3 =
3
4

Now, try the same number again.

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 2/8 + 3/6

2
8
+
3
6
=
3
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler