math help

What is 12/1 + 1/12?

What is 12/1 + 1/12?

Here's how you add

12
1
+
1
12

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

Since 1 is evenly divided by 12, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 12 by 12, and get 144, then we multiply 1 by 12 and get 12.

12/1 times 12

The problem now has new fractions to add:

144
12
+
1
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

144 + 1 = 145

This yields the answer

145
12

Step 3

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

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

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. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 12/1 + 1/12

12
1
+
1
12
=
145
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler