Question

find the sum

4/16 + 2/13

Answer 1

look for a common denominator. Easiest way, just multiply 16*13, that's common.

Answer 2

Then you do this:
4*13/(16*13) + 2*16)/16*13)
= (4*13+2*15)/(16*13)

Answer 3

See the pattern?

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

why did I multiply 4*13 in the first term?

Answer 6

Look at the denominator for that term, there is also a 13 that cancels out the 13 in the numerator.

Answer 7

We did this step so that we can combine numerators easily, like this (4*13+2*15)

Answer 8

Notice that 4*13/(16*13) is still just 4/16 like in your original equation (1st term)

Answer 9

I just put a 13/13 term there, this is just 1.

Answer 10

ok? im sorry i dont get this so it takes me a long time to get it

Answer 11

bottom line, you need a common denominator to add numerators like I did. Find the common denominator, and you have it made

Answer 12

oh well

Answer 13

it like if you had 1/2 a pie and 1/3 of a pie, what do you get when you add them? You need a way to compare 1/2 and 1/3. A common denominator lets you do that

Answer 14

1/2 a pie is the same as 3/6 of a pie and 1/3 of a pie is the same as 2/6 of a pie. Now you know that 3/6 + 2/6 = (3 + 2)/6 = 5/6 of a pie, almost a whole pie!

Answer 15

ok