math help

What is 24/26 + 2/3?

What is 24/26 + 2/3?

This is how to add

24
26
+
2
3

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 24 by 3, and get 72, then we multiply 26 by 3 and get 78.

24/26 times 3

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 26, and get 52, then multiply 26 by 3 and get 78.

2/3 times 26

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

72
78
+
52
78

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 52 = 124

That gives us the sum, which is

124
78

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:

124
78
÷ 2 =
62
39

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...

No good. 41 is larger than 39. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/26 + 2/3

24
26
+
2
3
=
62
39
© 2014 Randy Tayler