math help

What is 15/11 + 2/3?

What is 15/11 + 2/3?

This is how we add

15
11
+
2
3

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 15 by 3, and get 45, then we multiply 11 by 3 and get 33.

15/11 times 3

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 11, and get 22, then multiply 11 by 3 and get 33.

2/3 times 11

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

45
33
+
22
33

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

45 + 22 = 67

That gives us the sum, which is

67
33

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

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

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

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 33. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 15/11 + 2/3

15
11
+
2
3
=
67
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler