math help

What is 24/26 + 3/12?

What is 24/26 + 3/12?

This is how you add

24
26
+
3
12

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 24 by 12, and get 288, then we multiply 26 by 12 and get 312.

24/26 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 26, and get 78, then multiply 26 by 12 and get 312.

3/12 times 26

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

288
312
+
78
312

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

288 + 78 = 366

That gives us an answer of

366
312

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:

366
312
÷ 2 =
183
156

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

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

183
156
÷ 3 =
61
52

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. 53 is larger than 52. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 24/26 + 3/12

24
26
+
3
12
=
61
52
© 2014 Randy Tayler