math help

What is 5/12 + 2/6?

What is 5/12 + 2/6?

Here's how we add

5
12
+
2
6

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

12 goes into 6 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 2, and get 4, then we multiply 6 by 2 and get 12.

2/6 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

5
12
+
4
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

5 + 4 = 9

That gives us an answer of

9
12

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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:

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 5/12 + 2/6

5
12
+
2
6
=
3
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler