math help

What is 24/5 + 5/9?

What is 24/5 + 5/9?

Let's add

24
5
+
5
9

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

24/5 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 5, and get 25, then multiply 5 by 9 and get 45.

5/9 times 5

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

216
45
+
25
45

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

216 + 25 = 241

Answer:

241
45

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...

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 24/5 + 5/9

24
5
+
5
9
=
241
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler