math help

What is 12/1 + 1/3?

What is 12/1 + 1/3?

This is how we add

12
1
+
1
3

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

3 goes into 1 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 12 by 3, and get 36, then we multiply 1 by 3 and get 3.

12/1 times 3

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

36
3
+
1
3

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

36 + 1 = 37

That gives us an answer of

37
3

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide 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. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 12/1 + 1/3

12
1
+
1
3
=
37
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler