math help

What is 24/5 + 3/7?

What is 24/5 + 3/7?

Here's how we add

24
5
+
3
7

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 7, and get 168, then we multiply 5 by 7 and get 35.

24/5 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 5, and get 15, then multiply 5 by 7 and get 35.

3/7 times 5

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

168
35
+
15
35

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

168 + 15 = 183

That gives us the sum, which is

183
35

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 35. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 24/5 + 3/7

24
5
+
3
7
=
183
35
© 2014 Randy Tayler