math help

What is 20/64 + 7/8?

What is 20/64 + 7/8?

Let's add

20
64
+
7
8

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

64 goes into 8 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 7 by 8, and get 56, then we multiply 8 by 8 and get 64.

7/8 times 8

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

20
64
+
56
64

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

20 + 56 = 76

Answer:

76
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:

76
64
÷ 2 =
38
32

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

38
32
÷ 2 =
19
16

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 20/64 + 7/8

20
64
+
7
8
=
19
16
© 2014 Randy Tayler