math help

What is 7/8 + 7/11?

What is 7/8 + 7/11?

Here's how you add

7
8
+
7
11

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 7 by 11, and get 77, then we multiply 8 by 11 and get 88.

7/8 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 7 by 8, and get 56, then multiply 8 by 11 and get 88.

7/11 times 8

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

77
88
+
56
88

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

77 + 56 = 133

That gives us an answer of

133
88

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89...

No good. 89 is larger than 88. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 7/8 + 7/11

7
8
+
7
11
=
133
88
© 2014 Randy Tayler