math help

What is 16/48 + 1/7?

What is 16/48 + 1/7?

This is how you add

16
48
+
1
7

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 16 by 7, and get 112, then we multiply 48 by 7 and get 336.

16/48 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 48, and get 48, then multiply 48 by 7 and get 336.

1/7 times 48

So now our fractions look like this:

112
336
+
48
336

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

112 + 48 = 160

So the answer is:

160
336

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

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:

160
336
÷ 2 =
80
168

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

80
168
÷ 2 =
40
84

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

40
84
÷ 2 =
20
42

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

20
42
÷ 2 =
10
21

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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 10. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 1/7

16
48
+
1
7
=
10
21
© 2014 Randy Tayler