math help

What is 10/11 + 2/4?

What is 10/11 + 2/4?

This is how to add

10
11
+
2
4

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 10 by 4, and get 40, then we multiply 11 by 4 and get 44.

10/11 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 11, and get 22, then multiply 11 by 4 and get 44.

2/4 times 11

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

40
44
+
22
44

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

40 + 22 = 62

Answer:

62
44

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:

62
44
÷ 2 =
31
22

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...

No good. 23 is larger than 22. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 10/11 + 2/4

10
11
+
2
4
=
31
22
© 2014 Randy Tayler