math help

What is 50/8 + 5/12?

What is 50/8 + 5/12?

Here's how you add

50
8
+
5
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 50 by 12, and get 600, then we multiply 8 by 12 and get 96.

50/8 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 8, and get 40, then multiply 8 by 12 and get 96.

5/12 times 8

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

600
96
+
40
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

600 + 40 = 640

Answer:

640
96

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:

640
96
÷ 2 =
320
48

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

320
48
÷ 2 =
160
24

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

160
24
÷ 2 =
80
12

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

80
12
÷ 2 =
40
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

40
6
÷ 2 =
20
3

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 50/8 + 5/12

50
8
+
5
12
=
20
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler