math help

What is 10/12 + 8/12?

What is 10/12 + 8/12?

Here's how to add

10
12
+
8
12

Step 1

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

10 + 8 = 18

This yields the answer

18
12

Step 2

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

18
12
÷ 2 =
9
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

9
6
÷ 3 =
3
2

Let's try dividing by that again...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 10/12 + 8/12

10
12
+
8
12
=
3
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler