math help

What is 16/48 + 5/10?

What is 16/48 + 5/10?

This is how you add

16
48
+
5
10

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 16 by 10, and get 160, then we multiply 48 by 10 and get 480.

16/48 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 48, and get 240, then multiply 48 by 10 and get 480.

5/10 times 48

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

160
480
+
240
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

160 + 240 = 400

That gives us the sum, which is

400
480

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

400
480
÷ 2 =
200
240

Now, try the same number again.

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

200
240
÷ 2 =
100
120

Now, try the same number again.

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

100
120
÷ 2 =
50
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

50
60
÷ 2 =
25
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

25
30
÷ 5 =
5
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 16/48 + 5/10

16
48
+
5
10
=
5
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler