math help

What is 16/48 + 1/5?

What is 16/48 + 1/5?

Here's how to add

16
48
+
1
5

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 16 by 5, and get 80, then we multiply 48 by 5 and get 240.

16/48 times 5

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 48, and get 48, then multiply 48 by 5 and get 240.

1/5 times 48

The problem now has new fractions to add:

80
240
+
48
240

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

80 + 48 = 128

The sum we get is

128
240

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

128
240
÷ 2 =
64
120

Now, try the same number again.

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

64
120
÷ 2 =
32
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

32
60
÷ 2 =
16
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

16
30
÷ 2 =
8
15

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 8. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 16/48 + 1/5

16
48
+
1
5
=
8
15
© 2014 Randy Tayler