math help

What is 24/26 + 8/12?

What is 24/26 + 8/12?

Here's how to add

24
26
+
8
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 24 by 12, and get 288, then we multiply 26 by 12 and get 312.

24/26 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 8 by 26, and get 208, then multiply 26 by 12 and get 312.

8/12 times 26

The problem now has new fractions to add:

288
312
+
208
312

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

288 + 208 = 496

The sum we get is

496
312

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:

496
312
÷ 2 =
248
156

Now, try the same number again.

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

248
156
÷ 2 =
124
78

Now, try the same number again.

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

124
78
÷ 2 =
62
39

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

No good. 41 is larger than 39. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/26 + 8/12

24
26
+
8
12
=
62
39
© 2014 Randy Tayler