math help

What is 3/64 + 3/12?

What is 3/64 + 3/12?

Here's how you add

3
64
+
3
12

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 12, and get 36, then we multiply 64 by 12 and get 768.

3/64 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 64, and get 192, then multiply 64 by 12 and get 768.

3/12 times 64

The problem now has new fractions to add:

36
768
+
192
768

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

36 + 192 = 228

This yields the answer

228
768

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:

228
768
÷ 2 =
114
384

Now, try the same number again.

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

114
384
÷ 2 =
57
192

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:

57
192
÷ 3 =
19
64

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 3/64 + 3/12

3
64
+
3
12
=
19
64
© 2014 Randy Tayler