math help

What is 15/60 + 2/10?

What is 15/60 + 2/10?

This is how we add

15
60
+
2
10

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

60 goes into 10 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 6, and get 12, then we multiply 10 by 6 and get 60.

2/10 times 6

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

15
60
+
12
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

15 + 12 = 27

That gives us the sum, which is

27
60

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:

27
60
÷ 3 =
9
20

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 15/60 + 2/10

15
60
+
2
10
=
9
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler