math help

What is 8/12 + 3/8?

What is 8/12 + 3/8?

This is how we add

8
12
+
3
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 8 by 8, and get 64, then we multiply 12 by 8 and get 96.

8/12 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then multiply 12 by 8 and get 96.

3/8 times 12

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

64
96
+
36
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

64 + 36 = 100

That gives us the sum, which is

100
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:

100
96
÷ 2 =
50
48

Now, try the same number again.

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

50
48
÷ 2 =
25
24

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

No good. 29 is larger than 25. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 8/12 + 3/8

8
12
+
3
8
=
25
24
© 2014 Randy Tayler