math help

What is 3/24 + 6/12?

What is 3/24 + 6/12?

This is how we add

3
24
+
6
12

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

24 goes into 12 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 6 by 2, and get 12, then we multiply 12 by 2 and get 24.

6/12 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

3
24
+
12
24

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

3 + 12 = 15

So what's the answer so far?

15
24

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

15
24
÷ 3 =
5
8

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 3/24 + 6/12

3
24
+
6
12
=
5
8
© 2014 Randy Tayler