math help

What is 3/9 + 7/12?

What is 3/9 + 7/12?

This is how we add

3
9
+
7
12

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 12, and get 36, then we multiply 9 by 12 and get 108.

3/9 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 7 by 9, and get 63, then multiply 9 by 12 and get 108.

7/12 times 9

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

36
108
+
63
108

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

36 + 63 = 99

That gives us the sum, which is

99
108

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

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

99
108
÷ 3 =
33
36

Now, try the same number again.

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

33
36
÷ 3 =
11
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/9 + 7/12

3
9
+
7
12
=
11
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler