math help

What is 24/5 + 3/11?

What is 24/5 + 3/11?

Let's add

24
5
+
3
11

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 11, and get 264, then we multiply 5 by 11 and get 55.

24/5 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 5, and get 15, then multiply 5 by 11 and get 55.

3/11 times 5

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

264
55
+
15
55

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

264 + 15 = 279

Answer:

279
55

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

No good. 59 is larger than 55. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/5 + 3/11

24
5
+
3
11
=
279
55
© 2014 Randy Tayler