math help

What is 45/3 + 7/12?

What is 45/3 + 7/12?

Here's how we add

45
3
+
7
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

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

180
12
+
7
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

180 + 7 = 187

Answer:

187
12

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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 + 7/12

45
3
+
7
12
=
187
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler