math help

What is 16/48 + 5/8?

What is 16/48 + 5/8?

Here's how to add

16
48
+
5
8

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

48 goes into 8 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 5 by 6, and get 30, then we multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

5/8 times 6

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

16
48
+
30
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

16 + 30 = 46

So what's the answer so far?

46
48

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:

46
48
÷ 2 =
23
24

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...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. 29 is larger than 23. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 5/8

16
48
+
5
8
=
23
24
© 2014 Randy Tayler