math help

What is 10/6 + 6/9?

What is 10/6 + 6/9?

This is how we add

10
6
+
6
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 10 by 9, and get 90, then we multiply 6 by 9 and get 54.

10/6 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 6, and get 36, then multiply 6 by 9 and get 54.

6/9 times 6

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

90
54
+
36
54

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

90 + 36 = 126

That gives us the sum, which is

126
54

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:

126
54
÷ 2 =
63
27

Now, try the same number again.

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

63
27
÷ 3 =
21
9

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

21
9
÷ 3 =
7
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 10/6 + 6/9

10
6
+
6
9
=
7
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler