math help

What is 12/13 + 2/8?

What is 12/13 + 2/8?

Here's how to add

12
13
+
2
8

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 12 by 8, and get 96, then we multiply 13 by 8 and get 104.

12/13 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 13, and get 26, then multiply 13 by 8 and get 104.

2/8 times 13

We now have a new problem, that looks like this:

96
104
+
26
104

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

96 + 26 = 122

Answer:

122
104

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

122
104
÷ 2 =
61
52

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. 53 is larger than 52. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 12/13 + 2/8

12
13
+
2
8
=
61
52
© 2014 Randy Tayler