What is 2/8 + 1/2?

This is how to add

Step 1

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

8 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 4, and get 4, then we multiply 2 by 4 and get 8.

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

2 + 4 = 6

So what's the answer so far?

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:

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 3. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 2/8 + 1/2