math help

What is 20/64 + 6/8?

What is 20/64 + 6/8?

Here's how to add

20
64
+
6
8

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

Since 8 is evenly divided by 64, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 6 by 8, and get 48, then we multiply 8 by 8 and get 64.

6/8 times 8

The problem now has new fractions to add:

20
64
+
48
64

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

20 + 48 = 68

This yields the answer

68
64

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:

68
64
÷ 2 =
34
32

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

34
32
÷ 2 =
17
16

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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 16. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 20/64 + 6/8

20
64
+
6
8
=
17
16
© 2014 Randy Tayler