math help

What is 100/72 + 7/12?

What is 100/72 + 7/12?

This is how you add

100
72
+
7
12

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

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

Multiply 7 by 6, and get 42, then we multiply 12 by 6 and get 72.

7/12 times 6

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

100
72
+
42
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

100 + 42 = 142

That gives us the sum, which is

142
72

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:

142
72
÷ 2 =
71
36

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 36. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 100/72 + 7/12

100
72
+
7
12
=
71
36
© 2014 Randy Tayler