math help

What is 11/12 + 1/3?

What is 11/12 + 1/3?

This is how to add

11
12
+
1
3

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

12 goes into 3 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 4, and get 4, then we multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

1/3 times 4

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

11
12
+
4
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

11 + 4 = 15

Answer:

15
12

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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:

15
12
÷ 3 =
5
4

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 11/12 + 1/3

11
12
+
1
3
=
5
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler