math help

What is 15/60 + 5/11?

What is 15/60 + 5/11?

Here's how to add

15
60
+
5
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 5 by 60, and get 300, then multiply 60 by 11 and get 660.

5/11 times 60

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

165
660
+
300
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

165 + 300 = 465

Answer:

465
660

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...

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

465
660
÷ 3 =
155
220

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

155
220
÷ 5 =
31
44

Now, try the same number again.

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 31. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 15/60 + 5/11

15
60
+
5
11
=
31
44
© 2014 Randy Tayler