math help

What is 22/22 + 2/12?

What is 22/22 + 2/12?

This is how you add

22
22
+
2
12

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 22 by 12, and get 264, then we multiply 22 by 12 and get 264.

22/22 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 22, and get 44, then multiply 22 by 12 and get 264.

2/12 times 22

The problem now has new fractions to add:

264
264
+
44
264

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

264 + 44 = 308

This yields the answer

308
264

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

308
264
÷ 2 =
154
132

Now, try the same number again.

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

154
132
÷ 2 =
77
66

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 11? Yes! So we reduce it:

77
66
÷ 11 =
7
6

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 22/22 + 2/12

22
22
+
2
12
=
7
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler