math help

What is 15/60 + 6/8?

What is 15/60 + 6/8?

Here's how you add

15
60
+
6
8

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 15 by 8, and get 120, then we multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

15/60 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 60, and get 360, then multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

6/8 times 60

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

120
480
+
360
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

120 + 360 = 480

That gives us an answer of

480
480

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

480
480
÷ 2 =
240
240

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

240
240
÷ 2 =
120
120

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

120
120
÷ 2 =
60
60

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

60
60
÷ 2 =
30
30

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

30
30
÷ 2 =
15
15

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 3...

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

15
15
÷ 3 =
5
5

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...

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

5
5
÷ 5 =
1
1

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. 5 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 15/60 + 6/8

15
60
+
6
8
=
1
1
= 1
© 2014 Randy Tayler