math help

What is 25/15 + 6/12?

What is 25/15 + 6/12?

This is how you add

25
15
+
6
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 25 by 12, and get 300, then we multiply 15 by 12 and get 180.

25/15 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 15, and get 90, then multiply 15 by 12 and get 180.

6/12 times 15

The problem now has new fractions to add:

300
180
+
90
180

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

300 + 90 = 390

This yields the answer

390
180

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:

390
180
÷ 2 =
195
90

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:

195
90
÷ 3 =
65
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

65
30
÷ 5 =
13
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

No good. 7 is larger than 6. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 25/15 + 6/12

25
15
+
6
12
=
13
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler