math help

What is 24/12 + 1/6?

What is 24/12 + 1/6?

Let's add

24
12
+
1
6

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

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

24
12
+
2
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 2 = 26

Answer:

26
12

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

26
12
÷ 2 =
13
6

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...

No good. 7 is larger than 6. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/12 + 1/6

24
12
+
1
6
=
13
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler