math help

What is 88/15 + 8/12?

What is 88/15 + 8/12?

Here's how we add

88
15
+
8
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 88 by 12, and get 1056, then we multiply 15 by 12 and get 180.

88/15 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 15, and get 120, then multiply 15 by 12 and get 180.

8/12 times 15

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

1056
180
+
120
180

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

1056 + 120 = 1176

Answer:

1176
180

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:

1176
180
÷ 2 =
588
90

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

588
90
÷ 2 =
294
45

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

294
45
÷ 3 =
98
15

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

No good. 17 is larger than 15. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 88/15 + 8/12

88
15
+
8
12
=
98
15
© 2014 Randy Tayler