math help

What is 5/12 + 6/8?

What is 5/12 + 6/8?

This is how we add

5
12
+
6
8

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 5 by 8, and get 40, then we multiply 12 by 8 and get 96.

5/12 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 12, and get 72, then multiply 12 by 8 and get 96.

6/8 times 12

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

40
96
+
72
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

40 + 72 = 112

That gives us the sum, which is

112
96

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:

112
96
÷ 2 =
56
48

Now, try the same number again.

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

56
48
÷ 2 =
28
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

28
24
÷ 2 =
14
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

14
12
÷ 2 =
7
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

No good. 7 is larger than 6. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 5/12 + 6/8

5
12
+
6
8
=
7
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler