math help

What is 4/8 + 1/6?

What is 4/8 + 1/6?

Here's how you add

4
8
+
1
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 4 by 6, and get 24, then we multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

4/8 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 8, and get 8, then multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

1/6 times 8

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

24
48
+
8
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 8 = 32

Answer:

32
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:

32
48
÷ 2 =
16
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

16
24
÷ 2 =
8
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

8
12
÷ 2 =
4
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

4
6
÷ 2 =
2
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/8 + 1/6

4
8
+
1
6
=
2
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler