math help

What is 45/3 + 1/12?

What is 45/3 + 1/12?

Here's how you add

45
3
+
1
12

Step 1

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

12 goes into 3 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 45 by 4, and get 180, then we multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

45/3 times 4

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

180
12
+
1
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

180 + 1 = 181

So what's the answer so far?

181
12

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 45/3 + 1/12

45
3
+
1
12
=
181
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler