math help

What is 24/5 + 2/12?

What is 24/5 + 2/12?

Let's add

24
5
+
2
12

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 12, and get 288, then we multiply 5 by 12 and get 60.

24/5 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 5, and get 10, then multiply 5 by 12 and get 60.

2/12 times 5

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

288
60
+
10
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

288 + 10 = 298

Answer:

298
60

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:

298
60
÷ 2 =
149
30

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...

No good. 31 is larger than 30. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/5 + 2/12

24
5
+
2
12
=
149
30
© 2014 Randy Tayler