math help

What is 50/8 + 9/12?

What is 50/8 + 9/12?

This is how you add

50
8
+
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 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 9 by 8, and get 72, then multiply 8 by 12 and get 96.

9/12 times 8

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

600
96
+
72
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

600 + 72 = 672

That gives us the sum, which is

672
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:

672
96
÷ 2 =
336
48

Now, try the same number again.

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

336
48
÷ 2 =
168
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

168
24
÷ 2 =
84
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

84
12
÷ 2 =
42
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

42
6
÷ 2 =
21
3

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

21
3
÷ 3 =
7
1

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 3 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 50/8 + 9/12

50
8
+
9
12
=
7
1
= 7
© 2014 Randy Tayler