math help

What is 24/12 + 3/7?

What is 24/12 + 3/7?

Here's how we add

24
12
+
3
7

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 24 by 7, and get 168, then we multiply 12 by 7 and get 84.

24/12 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then multiply 12 by 7 and get 84.

3/7 times 12

The problem now has new fractions to add:

168
84
+
36
84

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

168 + 36 = 204

The sum we get is

204
84

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:

204
84
÷ 2 =
102
42

Now, try the same number again.

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

102
42
÷ 2 =
51
21

Now, try the same number again.

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

51
21
÷ 3 =
17
7

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/12 + 3/7

24
12
+
3
7
=
17
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler