math help

What is 1/15 + 3/8?

What is 1/15 + 3/8?

This is how to add

1
15
+
3
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 15 by 8 and get 120.

1/15 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 15, and get 45, then multiply 15 by 8 and get 120.

3/8 times 15

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

8
120
+
45
120

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

8 + 45 = 53

Answer:

53
120

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

No good. 59 is larger than 53. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 1/15 + 3/8

1
15
+
3
8
=
53
120
© 2014 Randy Tayler