math help

What is 40/41 + 8/12?

What is 40/41 + 8/12?

This is how we add

40
41
+
8
12

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 40 by 12, and get 480, then we multiply 41 by 12 and get 492.

40/41 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 41, and get 328, then multiply 41 by 12 and get 492.

8/12 times 41

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

480
492
+
328
492

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

480 + 328 = 808

So what's the answer so far?

808
492

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

808
492
÷ 2 =
404
246

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

404
246
÷ 2 =
202
123

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 59...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 61...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 67...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 71...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 73...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 79...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 83...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 89...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 97...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 101...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 103...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 107...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 109...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 113...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 127...

No good. 127 is larger than 123. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 40/41 + 8/12

40
41
+
8
12
=
202
123
© 2014 Randy Tayler