math help

What is 10/12 + 2/11?

What is 10/12 + 2/11?

Here's how to add

10
12
+
2
11

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 10 by 11, and get 110, then we multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

10/12 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 12, and get 24, then multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

2/11 times 12

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

110
132
+
24
132

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

110 + 24 = 134

Answer:

134
132

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:

134
132
÷ 2 =
67
66

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 59...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 61...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 67...

No good. 67 is larger than 66. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 10/12 + 2/11

10
12
+
2
11
=
67
66
© 2014 Randy Tayler