math help

What is 20/64 + 3/4?

What is 20/64 + 3/4?

Here's how to add

20
64
+
3
4

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

64 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 3 by 16, and get 48, then we multiply 4 by 16 and get 64.

3/4 times 16

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

20
64
+
48
64

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

20 + 48 = 68

Answer:

68
64

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:

68
64
÷ 2 =
34
32

Now, try the same number again.

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

34
32
÷ 2 =
17
16

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...

No good. 17 is larger than 16. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 20/64 + 3/4

20
64
+
3
4
=
17
16
© 2014 Randy Tayler