math help

What is 2/8 + 9/12?

What is 2/8 + 9/12?

This is how we add

2
8
+
9
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 2 by 12, and get 24, then we multiply 8 by 12 and get 96.

2/8 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 9 by 8, and get 72, then multiply 8 by 12 and get 96.

9/12 times 8

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

24
96
+
72
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 72 = 96

That gives us the sum, which is

96
96

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:

96
96
÷ 2 =
48
48

Now, try the same number again.

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

48
48
÷ 2 =
24
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

24
24
÷ 2 =
12
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

12
12
÷ 2 =
6
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

6
6
÷ 2 =
3
3

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:

3
3
÷ 3 =
1
1

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 3 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 2/8 + 9/12

2
8
+
9
12
=
1
1
= 1
© 2014 Randy Tayler