math help

What is 1/6 + 2/12?

What is 1/6 + 2/12?

Here's how to add

1
6
+
2
12

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

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

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

1/6 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

2
12
+
2
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

2 + 2 = 4

So what's the answer so far?

4
12

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:

4
12
÷ 2 =
2
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

2
6
÷ 2 =
1
3

Let's try dividing by that again...

No good. 2 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 1/6 + 2/12

1
6
+
2
12
=
1
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler