math help

What is 5/100 + 6/12?

What is 5/100 + 6/12?

Here's how we add

5
100
+
6
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 5 by 12, and get 60, then we multiply 100 by 12 and get 1200.

5/100 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 100, and get 600, then multiply 100 by 12 and get 1200.

6/12 times 100

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

60
1200
+
600
1200

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

60 + 600 = 660

Answer:

660
1200

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:

660
1200
÷ 2 =
330
600

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

330
600
÷ 2 =
165
300

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:

165
300
÷ 3 =
55
100

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

55
100
÷ 5 =
11
20

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 5/100 + 6/12

5
100
+
6
12
=
11
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler