math help

What is 20/17 + 2/3?

What is 20/17 + 2/3?

Here's how to add

20
17
+
2
3

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 20 by 3, and get 60, then we multiply 17 by 3 and get 51.

20/17 times 3

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 17, and get 34, then multiply 17 by 3 and get 51.

2/3 times 17

The problem now has new fractions to add:

60
51
+
34
51

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

60 + 34 = 94

This yields the answer

94
51

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing 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...

No good. 53 is larger than 51. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 20/17 + 2/3

20
17
+
2
3
=
94
51
© 2014 Randy Tayler