math help

What is 3/10 + 2/4?

What is 3/10 + 2/4?

Here's how you add

3
10
+
2
4

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 3 by 4, and get 12, then we multiply 10 by 4 and get 40.

3/10 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 10, and get 20, then multiply 10 by 4 and get 40.

2/4 times 10

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

12
40
+
20
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

12 + 20 = 32

Answer:

32
40

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:

32
40
÷ 2 =
16
20

Now, try the same number again.

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

16
20
÷ 2 =
8
10

Now, try the same number again.

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

8
10
÷ 2 =
4
5

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 3/10 + 2/4

3
10
+
2
4
=
4
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler