math help

What is 12/1 + 3/5?

What is 12/1 + 3/5?

Here's how to add

12
1
+
3
5

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

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

Multiply 12 by 5, and get 60, then we multiply 1 by 5 and get 5.

12/1 times 5

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

60
5
+
3
5

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

60 + 3 = 63

So what's the answer so far?

63
5

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 12/1 + 3/5

12
1
+
3
5
=
63
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler