math help

What is 48/30 + 9/12?

What is 48/30 + 9/12?

Let's add

48
30
+
9
12

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 48 by 12, and get 576, then we multiply 30 by 12 and get 360.

48/30 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 9 by 30, and get 270, then multiply 30 by 12 and get 360.

9/12 times 30

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

576
360
+
270
360

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

576 + 270 = 846

Answer:

846
360

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

846
360
÷ 2 =
423
180

Let's try dividing by that again...

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:

423
180
÷ 3 =
141
60

Let's try dividing by that again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

141
60
÷ 3 =
47
20

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 20. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 48/30 + 9/12

48
30
+
9
12
=
47
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler