math help

What is 30/50 + 7/12?

What is 30/50 + 7/12?

Let's add

30
50
+
7
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 30 by 12, and get 360, then we multiply 50 by 12 and get 600.

30/50 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 7 by 50, and get 350, then multiply 50 by 12 and get 600.

7/12 times 50

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

360
600
+
350
600

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

360 + 350 = 710

Answer:

710
600

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:

710
600
÷ 2 =
355
300

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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

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

355
300
÷ 5 =
71
60

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

No good. 61 is larger than 60. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 30/50 + 7/12

30
50
+
7
12
=
71
60
© 2014 Randy Tayler