math help

What is 12/1 + 2/6?

What is 12/1 + 2/6?

Here's how to add

12
1
+
2
6

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

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

Multiply 12 by 6, and get 72, then we multiply 1 by 6 and get 6.

12/1 times 6

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

72
6
+
2
6

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 2 = 74

So what's the answer so far?

74
6

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

74
6
÷ 2 =
37
3

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 12/1 + 2/6

12
1
+
2
6
=
37
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler