What is 1/2 + 2/12?

This is how we add

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

12 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 6, and get 6, then we multiply 2 by 6 and get 12.

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

6 + 2 = 8

That gives us an answer of

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

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:

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. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 1/2 + 2/12