math help

What is 16/48 + 3/4?

What is 16/48 + 3/4?

Let's add

16
48
+
3
4

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

48 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then we multiply 4 by 12 and get 48.

3/4 times 12

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

16
48
+
36
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

16 + 36 = 52

That gives us the sum, which is

52
48

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:

52
48
÷ 2 =
26
24

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

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

26
24
÷ 2 =
13
12

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. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 3/4

16
48
+
3
4
=
13
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler