In this problem: 5/12b + 15/36b^2
First I made a common denominator: 15b/36b^2 + 15/36b^2
Then I simplified the first fraction:
5/12b + 15/36b^2
Can I simplify the second fraction by 3b? If I can, what am I supposed to get?
Can I simplify the second fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 3b?
To simplify the second fraction, you can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor. In this case, the greatest common factor of 15 and 36 is 3. However, you should divide both the numerator and the denominator by 3b, not just 3b^2.
So, 15/36b^2 can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 3b:
15/36b^2 = (15/3b) / (36b^2/3b)
Now you can simplify the fraction:
(15/3b) / (36b^2/3b) = (15/3b) * (3b/36b^2)
The 3b in the numerator cancels out with the 3b in the denominator:
(15/3b) * (3b/36b^2) = (15/36b^2)
So, when you simplify the second fraction by 3b, you get: 15/36b^2.