math help

What is 80/2 + 3/12?

What is 80/2 + 3/12?

This is how to add

80
2
+
3
12

Step 1

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

12 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 80 by 6, and get 480, then we multiply 2 by 6 and get 12.

80/2 times 6

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

480
12
+
3
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

480 + 3 = 483

That gives us an answer of

483
12

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

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

483
12
÷ 3 =
161
4

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 80/2 + 3/12

80
2
+
3
12
=
161
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler