math help

What is 12/1 + 4/8?

What is 12/1 + 4/8?

Here's how we add

12
1
+
4
8

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

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

Multiply 12 by 8, and get 96, then we multiply 1 by 8 and get 8.

12/1 times 8

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

96
8
+
4
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

96 + 4 = 100

That gives us an answer of

100
8

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:

100
8
÷ 2 =
50
4

Now, try the same number again.

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

50
4
÷ 2 =
25
2

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 12/1 + 4/8

12
1
+
4
8
=
25
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler