math help

What is 100/24 + 4/7?

What is 100/24 + 4/7?

This is how you add

100
24
+
4
7

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 100 by 7, and get 700, then we multiply 24 by 7 and get 168.

100/24 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 24, and get 96, then multiply 24 by 7 and get 168.

4/7 times 24

We now have a new problem, that looks like this:

700
168
+
96
168

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

700 + 96 = 796

That gives us the sum, which is

796
168

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

796
168
÷ 2 =
398
84

Let's try dividing by that again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

398
84
÷ 2 =
199
42

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

No good. 43 is larger than 42. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 100/24 + 4/7

100
24
+
4
7
=
199
42
© 2014 Randy Tayler