math help

What is 31/12 + 3/5?

What is 31/12 + 3/5?

This is how you add

31
12
+
3
5

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 31 by 5, and get 155, then we multiply 12 by 5 and get 60.

31/12 times 5

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then multiply 12 by 5 and get 60.

3/5 times 12

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

155
60
+
36
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

155 + 36 = 191

Answer:

191
60

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...

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 31/12 + 3/5

31
12
+
3
5
=
191
60
© 2014 Randy Tayler