math help

What is 24/5 + 2/8?

What is 24/5 + 2/8?

Here's how we add

24
5
+
2
8

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 8, and get 192, then we multiply 5 by 8 and get 40.

24/5 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 5, and get 10, then multiply 5 by 8 and get 40.

2/8 times 5

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

192
40
+
10
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

192 + 10 = 202

That gives us the sum, which is

202
40

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:

202
40
÷ 2 =
101
20

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 20. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 24/5 + 2/8

24
5
+
2
8
=
101
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler