math help

What is 100/50 + 6/8?

What is 100/50 + 6/8?

This is how we add

100
50
+
6
8

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 100 by 8, and get 800, then we multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

100/50 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 50, and get 300, then multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

6/8 times 50

So now our fractions look like this:

800
400
+
300
400

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

800 + 300 = 1100

Now we have an answer.

1100
400

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

1100
400
÷ 2 =
550
200

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

550
200
÷ 2 =
275
100

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

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

275
100
÷ 5 =
55
20

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

55
20
÷ 5 =
11
4

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 100/50 + 6/8

100
50
+
6
8
=
11
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler