math help

What is 15/60 + 1/11?

What is 15/60 + 1/11?

This is how we add

15
60
+
1
11

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 11, and get 165, then we multiply 60 by 11 and get 660.

15/60 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 60, and get 60, then multiply 60 by 11 and get 660.

1/11 times 60

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

165
660
+
60
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

165 + 60 = 225

That gives us the sum, which is

225
660

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

225
660
÷ 3 =
75
220

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

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

75
220
÷ 5 =
15
44

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

No good. 17 is larger than 15. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 15/60 + 1/11

15
60
+
1
11
=
15
44
© 2014 Randy Tayler