math help

What is 15/11 + 3/6?

What is 15/11 + 3/6?

Here's how to add

15
11
+
3
6

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 6, and get 90, then we multiply 11 by 6 and get 66.

15/11 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 11, and get 33, then multiply 11 by 6 and get 66.

3/6 times 11

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

90
66
+
33
66

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

90 + 33 = 123

Answer:

123
66

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

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

123
66
÷ 3 =
41
22

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 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

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

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 15/11 + 3/6

15
11
+
3
6
=
41
22
© 2014 Randy Tayler