math help

What is 32/1 + 5/12?

What is 32/1 + 5/12?

Let's add

32
1
+
5
12

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

Since 1 is evenly divided by 12, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 32 by 12, and get 384, then we multiply 1 by 12 and get 12.

32/1 times 12

The problem now has new fractions to add:

384
12
+
5
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

384 + 5 = 389

This yields the answer

389
12

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 32/1 + 5/12

32
1
+
5
12
=
389
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler