math help

What is 4/11 + 8/12?

What is 4/11 + 8/12?

Here's how to add

4
11
+
8
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 4 by 12, and get 48, then we multiply 11 by 12 and get 132.

4/11 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 11, and get 88, then multiply 11 by 12 and get 132.

8/12 times 11

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

48
132
+
88
132

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

48 + 88 = 136

Answer:

136
132

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:

136
132
÷ 2 =
68
66

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:

68
66
÷ 2 =
34
33

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. 37 is larger than 34. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 4/11 + 8/12

4
11
+
8
12
=
34
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler