math help

What is 100/72 + 9/12?

What is 100/72 + 9/12?

Here's how we add

100
72
+
9
12

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

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

Multiply 9 by 6, and get 54, then we multiply 12 by 6 and get 72.

9/12 times 6

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

100
72
+
54
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

100 + 54 = 154

That gives us an answer of

154
72

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:

154
72
÷ 2 =
77
36

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 100/72 + 9/12

100
72
+
9
12
=
77
36
© 2014 Randy Tayler