math help

What is 16/48 + 9/10?

What is 16/48 + 9/10?

This is how to add

16
48
+
9
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 9 by 48, and get 432, then multiply 48 by 10 and get 480.

9/10 times 48

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

160
480
+
432
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

160 + 432 = 592

Answer:

592
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:

592
480
÷ 2 =
296
240

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:

296
240
÷ 2 =
148
120

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:

148
120
÷ 2 =
74
60

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:

74
60
÷ 2 =
37
30

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. 31 is larger than 30. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 16/48 + 9/10

16
48
+
9
10
=
37
30
© 2014 Randy Tayler