math help

What is 6/12 + 3/6?

What is 6/12 + 3/6?

This is how to add

6
12
+
3
6

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

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

Multiply 3 by 2, and get 6, then we multiply 6 by 2 and get 12.

3/6 times 2

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

6
12
+
6
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

6 + 6 = 12

Answer:

12
12

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:

12
12
÷ 2 =
6
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

6
6
÷ 2 =
3
3

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

3
3
÷ 3 =
1
1

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 6/12 + 3/6

6
12
+
3
6
=
1
1
= 1
© 2014 Randy Tayler