math help

What is 63/58 + 2/12?

What is 63/58 + 2/12?

This is how you add

63
58
+
2
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 63 by 12, and get 756, then we multiply 58 by 12 and get 696.

63/58 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 58, and get 116, then multiply 58 by 12 and get 696.

2/12 times 58

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

756
696
+
116
696

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

756 + 116 = 872

That gives us the sum, which is

872
696

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:

872
696
÷ 2 =
436
348

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

436
348
÷ 2 =
218
174

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

218
174
÷ 2 =
109
87

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...

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89...

No good. 89 is larger than 87. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 63/58 + 2/12

63
58
+
2
12
=
109
87
© 2014 Randy Tayler