math help

What is 64/16 + 4/12?

What is 64/16 + 4/12?

Here's how you add

64
16
+
4
12

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 64 by 12, and get 768, then we multiply 16 by 12 and get 192.

64/16 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 4 by 16, and get 64, then multiply 16 by 12 and get 192.

4/12 times 16

So now our fractions look like this:

768
192
+
64
192

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

768 + 64 = 832

So the answer is:

832
192

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

832
192
÷ 2 =
416
96

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

416
96
÷ 2 =
208
48

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

208
48
÷ 2 =
104
24

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

104
24
÷ 2 =
52
12

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

52
12
÷ 2 =
26
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

26
6
÷ 2 =
13
3

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...

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/16 + 4/12

64
16
+
4
12
=
13
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler