math help

What is 9/60 + 4/12?

What is 9/60 + 4/12?

Let's add

9
60
+
4
12

Step 1

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

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

Multiply 4 by 5, and get 20, then we multiply 12 by 5 and get 60.

4/12 times 5

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

9
60
+
20
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

9 + 20 = 29

So what's the answer so far?

29
60

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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...

No good. 31 is larger than 29. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/60 + 4/12

9
60
+
4
12
=
29
60
© 2014 Randy Tayler