math help

What is 6/12 + 3/10?

What is 6/12 + 3/10?

This is how we add

6
12
+
3
10

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 6 by 10, and get 60, then we multiply 12 by 10 and get 120.

6/12 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 12, and get 36, then multiply 12 by 10 and get 120.

3/10 times 12

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

60
120
+
36
120

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

60 + 36 = 96

That gives us the sum, which is

96
120

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:

96
120
÷ 2 =
48
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

48
60
÷ 2 =
24
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

24
30
÷ 2 =
12
15

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

12
15
÷ 3 =
4
5

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/12 + 3/10

6
12
+
3
10
=
4
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler