math help

What is 100/50 + 2/11?

What is 100/50 + 2/11?

This is how you add

100
50
+
2
11

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 11, and get 1100, then we multiply 50 by 11 and get 550.

100/50 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 50, and get 100, then multiply 50 by 11 and get 550.

2/11 times 50

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

1100
550
+
100
550

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

1100 + 100 = 1200

Answer:

1200
550

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:

1200
550
÷ 2 =
600
275

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

600
275
÷ 5 =
120
55

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

120
55
÷ 5 =
24
11

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 100/50 + 2/11

100
50
+
2
11
=
24
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler