math help

What is 9/32 + 2/12?

What is 9/32 + 2/12?

This is how to add

9
32
+
2
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 9 by 12, and get 108, then we multiply 32 by 12 and get 384.

9/32 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 32, and get 64, then multiply 32 by 12 and get 384.

2/12 times 32

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

108
384
+
64
384

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

108 + 64 = 172

That gives us the sum, which is

172
384

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:

172
384
÷ 2 =
86
192

Now, try the same number again.

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

86
192
÷ 2 =
43
96

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 43. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/32 + 2/12

9
32
+
2
12
=
43
96
© 2014 Randy Tayler