math help

What is 1/14 + 4/8?

What is 1/14 + 4/8?

This is how to add

1
14
+
4
8

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 1 by 8, and get 8, then we multiply 14 by 8 and get 112.

1/14 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 14, and get 56, then multiply 14 by 8 and get 112.

4/8 times 14

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

8
112
+
56
112

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

8 + 56 = 64

Answer:

64
112

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:

64
112
÷ 2 =
32
56

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

32
56
÷ 2 =
16
28

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

16
28
÷ 2 =
8
14

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

8
14
÷ 2 =
4
7

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 1/14 + 4/8

1
14
+
4
8
=
4
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler