math help

What is 16/48 + 8/11?

What is 16/48 + 8/11?

This is how to add

16
48
+
8
11

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

16/48 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 48, and get 384, then multiply 48 by 11 and get 528.

8/11 times 48

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

176
528
+
384
528

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

176 + 384 = 560

Answer:

560
528

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:

560
528
÷ 2 =
280
264

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

280
264
÷ 2 =
140
132

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

140
132
÷ 2 =
70
66

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

70
66
÷ 2 =
35
33

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 35. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 8/11

16
48
+
8
11
=
35
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler