math help

What is 100/50 + 5/8?

What is 100/50 + 5/8?

This is how you add

100
50
+
5
8

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 8, and get 800, then we multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

100/50 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 50, and get 250, then multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

5/8 times 50

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

800
400
+
250
400

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

800 + 250 = 1050

Answer:

1050
400

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:

1050
400
÷ 2 =
525
200

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:

525
200
÷ 5 =
105
40

Now, try the same number again.

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

105
40
÷ 5 =
21
8

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 8. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 100/50 + 5/8

100
50
+
5
8
=
21
8
© 2014 Randy Tayler