math help

What is 64/16 + 7/12?

What is 64/16 + 7/12?

Let's add

64
16
+
7
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 64 by 12, and get 768, then we multiply 16 by 12 and get 192.

64/16 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 7 by 16, and get 112, then multiply 16 by 12 and get 192.

7/12 times 16

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

768
192
+
112
192

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

768 + 112 = 880

Answer:

880
192

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:

880
192
÷ 2 =
440
96

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

440
96
÷ 2 =
220
48

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

220
48
÷ 2 =
110
24

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

110
24
÷ 2 =
55
12

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/16 + 7/12

64
16
+
7
12
=
55
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler