math help

What is 2/3 + 8/12?

What is 2/3 + 8/12?

Here's how we add

2
3
+
8
12

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

12 goes into 3 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 4, and get 8, then we multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

2/3 times 4

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

8
12
+
8
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

8 + 8 = 16

That gives us an answer of

16
12

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:

16
12
÷ 2 =
8
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

8
6
÷ 2 =
4
3

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 2/3 + 8/12

2
3
+
8
12
=
4
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler