math help

What is 45/3 + 3/12?

What is 45/3 + 3/12?

Here's how to add

45
3
+
3
12

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

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

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

180
12
+
3
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

180 + 3 = 183

That gives us the sum, which is

183
12

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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:

183
12
÷ 3 =
61
4

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 45/3 + 3/12

45
3
+
3
12
=
61
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler