math help

What is 3/2 + 5/6?

What is 3/2 + 5/6?

This is how you add

3
2
+
5
6

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

Since 2 is evenly divided by 6, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 3 by 3, and get 9, then we multiply 2 by 3 and get 6.

3/2 times 3

So now our fractions look like this:

9
6
+
5
6

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

9 + 5 = 14

So the answer is:

14
6

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

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:

14
6
÷ 2 =
7
3

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/2 + 5/6

3
2
+
5
6
=
7
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler