What is 2/4 + 1/8?

Let's add

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

8 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

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

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

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

4 + 1 = 5

That gives us the sum, which is

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 2/4 + 1/8