math help

What is 16/48 + 6/9?

What is 16/48 + 6/9?

This is how you add

16
48
+
6
9

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 9, and get 144, then we multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

16/48 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 48, and get 288, then multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

6/9 times 48

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

144
432
+
288
432

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

144 + 288 = 432

That gives us the sum, which is

432
432

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:

432
432
÷ 2 =
216
216

Now, try the same number again.

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

216
216
÷ 2 =
108
108

Now, try the same number again.

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

108
108
÷ 2 =
54
54

Now, try the same number again.

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

54
54
÷ 2 =
27
27

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

27
27
÷ 3 =
9
9

Now, try the same number again.

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

9
9
÷ 3 =
3
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

3
3
÷ 3 =
1
1

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 3 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 16/48 + 6/9

16
48
+
6
9
=
1
1
= 1
© 2014 Randy Tayler