math help

What is 16/48 + 7/11?

What is 16/48 + 7/11?

Here's how you add

16
48
+
7
11

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 11, and get 176, then we multiply 48 by 11 and get 528.

16/48 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 48, and get 336, then multiply 48 by 11 and get 528.

7/11 times 48

The problem now has new fractions to add:

176
528
+
336
528

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

176 + 336 = 512

This yields the answer

512
528

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:

512
528
÷ 2 =
256
264

Now, try the same number again.

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

256
264
÷ 2 =
128
132

Now, try the same number again.

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

128
132
÷ 2 =
64
66

Now, try the same number again.

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

64
66
÷ 2 =
32
33

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 32. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 16/48 + 7/11

16
48
+
7
11
=
32
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler