What is 1/2 + 1/7?

Here's how we add

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 1 by 7, and get 7, then we multiply 2 by 7 and get 14.

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 2, and get 2, then multiply 2 by 7 and get 14.

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

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

7 + 2 = 9

Answer:

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide 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 1/2 + 1/7