math help

What is 6/2 + 2/6?

What is 6/2 + 2/6?

This is how you add

6
2
+
2
6

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

Since 2 is evenly divided by 6, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 6 by 3, and get 18, then we multiply 2 by 3 and get 6.

6/2 times 3

So now our fractions look like this:

18
6
+
2
6

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

18 + 2 = 20

So the answer is:

20
6

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:

20
6
÷ 2 =
10
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/2 + 2/6

6
2
+
2
6
=
10
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler