math help

What is 16/48 + 7/12?

What is 16/48 + 7/12?

This is how to add

16
48
+
7
12

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

48 goes into 12 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 7 by 4, and get 28, then we multiply 12 by 4 and get 48.

7/12 times 4

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

16
48
+
28
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

16 + 28 = 44

Answer:

44
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:

44
48
÷ 2 =
22
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:

22
24
÷ 2 =
11
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 11. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 7/12

16
48
+
7
12
=
11
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler