math help

What is 24/12 + 4/11?

What is 24/12 + 4/11?

This is how you add

24
12
+
4
11

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 24 by 11, and get 264, then we multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

24/12 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 12, and get 48, then multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

4/11 times 12

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

264
132
+
48
132

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

264 + 48 = 312

Answer:

312
132

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:

312
132
÷ 2 =
156
66

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

156
66
÷ 2 =
78
33

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

78
33
÷ 3 =
26
11

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 24/12 + 4/11

24
12
+
4
11
=
26
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler