math help

What is 5/6 + 2/12?

What is 5/6 + 2/12?

Here's how we add

5
6
+
2
12

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 5 by 2, and get 10, then we multiply 6 by 2 and get 12.

5/6 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

10
12
+
2
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

10 + 2 = 12

That gives us an answer of

12
12

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
12
÷ 2 =
6
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

6
6
÷ 2 =
3
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

3
3
÷ 3 =
1
1

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 3 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 5/6 + 2/12

5
6
+
2
12
=
1
1
= 1
© 2014 Randy Tayler