math help

What is 24/26 + 5/10?

What is 24/26 + 5/10?

This is how you add

24
26
+
5
10

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 24 by 10, and get 240, then we multiply 26 by 10 and get 260.

24/26 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 26, and get 130, then multiply 26 by 10 and get 260.

5/10 times 26

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

240
260
+
130
260

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

240 + 130 = 370

That gives us an answer of

370
260

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

370
260
÷ 2 =
185
130

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

185
130
÷ 5 =
37
26

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 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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. 29 is larger than 26. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 24/26 + 5/10

24
26
+
5
10
=
37
26
© 2014 Randy Tayler