math help

What is 3/4 + 6/8?

What is 3/4 + 6/8?

Here's how to add

3
4
+
6
8

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

8 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 3 by 2, and get 6, then we multiply 4 by 2 and get 8.

3/4 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

6
8
+
6
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

6 + 6 = 12

So what's the answer so far?

12
8

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:

12
8
÷ 2 =
6
4

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

6
4
÷ 2 =
3
2

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 3/4 + 6/8

3
4
+
6
8
=
3
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler