math help

What is 6/88 + 9/12?

What is 6/88 + 9/12?

This is how we add

6
88
+
9
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 6 by 12, and get 72, then we multiply 88 by 12 and get 1056.

6/88 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 9 by 88, and get 792, then multiply 88 by 12 and get 1056.

9/12 times 88

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

72
1056
+
792
1056

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 792 = 864

Answer:

864
1056

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:

864
1056
÷ 2 =
432
528

Now, try the same number again.

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

432
528
÷ 2 =
216
264

Now, try the same number again.

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

216
264
÷ 2 =
108
132

Now, try the same number again.

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

108
132
÷ 2 =
54
66

Now, try the same number again.

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

54
66
÷ 2 =
27
33

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:

27
33
÷ 3 =
9
11

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/88 + 9/12

6
88
+
9
12
=
9
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler