math help

What is 34/3 + 1/4?

What is 34/3 + 1/4?

Here's how to add

34
3
+
1
4

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 34 by 4, and get 136, then we multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

34/3 times 4

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 3, and get 3, then multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

1/4 times 3

The problem now has new fractions to add:

136
12
+
3
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

136 + 3 = 139

This yields the answer

139
12

Step 3

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

To find out, we try dividing 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...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 34/3 + 1/4

34
3
+
1
4
=
139
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler