How do you evaluate #\frac { 12} { 36} + \frac { 6} { 26}#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-16T15:29:13

#22/39#

We can make the calculations much, much easier if we work with the simplest forms of the fractions first.

#color(blue)(12/36 div 12/12) and color(red)(6/26 div 2/2)" "#this gives:

#" "color(blue)(1/3) +color(red)(3/13)" "larrLCM = 39#

#= (color(blue)(13)+color(red)(9))/39" "larr# equivalent fractions (see below)

#= 22/39" "larr# this does not simplify.

Explanation of the conversion to equivalent fractions.

#color(blue)(1/3 xx13/13 = 13/39)#

and

#color(red)(3/13 xx3/3 = 9/39)#