math help

What is 80/2 + 9/12?

What is 80/2 + 9/12?

Here's how you add

80
2
+
9
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

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

480
12
+
9
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

480 + 9 = 489

That gives us the sum, which is

489
12

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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:

489
12
÷ 3 =
163
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 + 9/12

80
2
+
9
12
=
163
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler