math help

What is 20/64 + 4/6?

What is 20/64 + 4/6?

This is how we add

20
64
+
4
6

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 6, and get 120, then we multiply 64 by 6 and get 384.

20/64 times 6

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 4 by 64, and get 256, then multiply 64 by 6 and get 384.

4/6 times 64

The problem now has new fractions to add:

120
384
+
256
384

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

120 + 256 = 376

The sum we get is

376
384

Step 3

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

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

376
384
÷ 2 =
188
192

Now, try the same number again.

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

188
192
÷ 2 =
94
96

Now, try the same number again.

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

94
96
÷ 2 =
47
48

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

No good. 53 is larger than 47. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 20/64 + 4/6

20
64
+
4
6
=
47
48
© 2014 Randy Tayler