math help

What is 1/6 + 6/12?

What is 1/6 + 6/12?

Here's how we add

1
6
+
6
12

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

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
+
6
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

2 + 6 = 8

That gives us an answer of

8
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:

8
12
÷ 2 =
4
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

4
6
÷ 2 =
2
3

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 1/6 + 6/12

1
6
+
6
12
=
2
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler