math help

What is 12/1 + 4/9?

What is 12/1 + 4/9?

Here's how you add

12
1
+
4
9

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

Since 1 is evenly divided by 9, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 12 by 9, and get 108, then we multiply 1 by 9 and get 9.

12/1 times 9

The problem now has new fractions to add:

108
9
+
4
9

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

108 + 4 = 112

This yields the answer

112
9

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. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 12/1 + 4/9

12
1
+
4
9
=
112
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler