math help

What is 4/52 + 2/12?

What is 4/52 + 2/12?

Here's how to add

4
52
+
2
12

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 4 by 12, and get 48, then we multiply 52 by 12 and get 624.

4/52 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 52, and get 104, then multiply 52 by 12 and get 624.

2/12 times 52

The problem now has new fractions to add:

48
624
+
104
624

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

48 + 104 = 152

The sum we get is

152
624

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

152
624
÷ 2 =
76
312

Now, try the same number again.

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

76
312
÷ 2 =
38
156

Now, try the same number again.

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

38
156
÷ 2 =
19
78

Now, try the same number again.

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 19. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/52 + 2/12

4
52
+
2
12
=
19
78
© 2014 Randy Tayler