What is 5/12 + 1/3?

Here's how to add

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

12 goes into 3 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 4, and get 4, then we multiply 3 by 4 and get 12.

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

5 + 4 = 9

So what's the answer so far?

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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:

Let's try dividing by that again...

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 5/12 + 1/3