math help

What is 24/5 + 4/9?

What is 24/5 + 4/9?

Here's how to add

24
5
+
4
9

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 24 by 9, and get 216, then we multiply 5 by 9 and get 45.

24/5 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 4 by 5, and get 20, then multiply 5 by 9 and get 45.

4/9 times 5

The problem now has new fractions to add:

216
45
+
20
45

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

216 + 20 = 236

This yields the answer

236
45

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing 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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 45. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 24/5 + 4/9

24
5
+
4
9
=
236
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler