math help

What is 3/10 + 6/12?

What is 3/10 + 6/12?

This is how we add

3
10
+
6
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 3 by 12, and get 36, then we multiply 10 by 12 and get 120.

3/10 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 10, and get 60, then multiply 10 by 12 and get 120.

6/12 times 10

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

36
120
+
60
120

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

36 + 60 = 96

That gives us the sum, which is

96
120

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
120
÷ 2 =
48
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

48
60
÷ 2 =
24
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

24
30
÷ 2 =
12
15

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:

12
15
÷ 3 =
4
5

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/10 + 6/12

3
10
+
6
12
=
4
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler