math help

What is 20/17 + 2/4?

What is 20/17 + 2/4?

Let's add

20
17
+
2
4

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 20 by 4, and get 80, then we multiply 17 by 4 and get 68.

20/17 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 17, and get 34, then multiply 17 by 4 and get 68.

2/4 times 17

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

80
68
+
34
68

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

80 + 34 = 114

Answer:

114
68

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:

114
68
÷ 2 =
57
34

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 34. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 20/17 + 2/4

20
17
+
2
4
=
57
34
© 2014 Randy Tayler