math help

What is 100/50 + 4/9?

What is 100/50 + 4/9?

This is how you add

100
50
+
4
9

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 9, and get 900, then we multiply 50 by 9 and get 450.

100/50 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 50, and get 200, then multiply 50 by 9 and get 450.

4/9 times 50

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

900
450
+
200
450

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

900 + 200 = 1100

Answer:

1100
450

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:

1100
450
÷ 2 =
550
225

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:

550
225
÷ 5 =
110
45

Now, try the same number again.

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

110
45
÷ 5 =
22
9

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 100/50 + 4/9

100
50
+
4
9
=
22
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler