math help

What is 5/12 + 3/11?

What is 5/12 + 3/11?

This is how we add

5
12
+
3
11

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 11, and get 55, then we multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

5/12 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then multiply 12 by 11 and get 132.

3/11 times 12

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

55
132
+
36
132

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

55 + 36 = 91

That gives us the sum, which is

91
132

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 89...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 97...

No good. 97 is larger than 91. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 5/12 + 3/11

5
12
+
3
11
=
91
132
© 2014 Randy Tayler