math help

What is 1/5 + 2/3?

What is 1/5 + 2/3?

Here's how we add

1
5
+
2
3

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 3, and get 3, then we multiply 5 by 3 and get 15.

1/5 times 3

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 5, and get 10, then multiply 5 by 3 and get 15.

2/3 times 5

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

3
15
+
10
15

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

3 + 10 = 13

Answer:

13
15

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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. 17 is larger than 13. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 1/5 + 2/3

1
5
+
2
3
=
13
15
© 2014 Randy Tayler