What is 1/2 + 2/6?

Here's how we add

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

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

Multiply 1 by 3, and get 3, then we multiply 2 by 3 and get 6.

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

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

3 + 2 = 5

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. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 1/2 + 2/6