What is 3/18 + 5/8?

This is how to add

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 3 by 8, and get 24, then we multiply 18 by 8 and get 144.

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 5 by 18, and get 90, then multiply 18 by 8 and get 144.

The problem now has new fractions to add:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 90 = 114

This yields the answer

Step 3

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

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

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

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:

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 19. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/18 + 5/8