What is 3/6 + 2/8?

Here's how you add

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 8, and get 24, then we multiply 6 by 8 and get 48.

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 6, and get 12, then multiply 6 by 8 and get 48.

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

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 12 = 36

Answer:

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:

Now, try the same number again.

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...

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/6 + 2/8