math help

What is 100/50 + 1/12?

What is 100/50 + 1/12?

This is how you add

100
50
+
1
12

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 100 by 12, and get 1200, then we multiply 50 by 12 and get 600.

100/50 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 50, and get 50, then multiply 50 by 12 and get 600.

1/12 times 50

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

1200
600
+
50
600

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

1200 + 50 = 1250

Answer:

1250
600

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:

1250
600
÷ 2 =
625
300

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

625
300
÷ 5 =
125
60

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

125
60
÷ 5 =
25
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 100/50 + 1/12

100
50
+
1
12
=
25
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler