math help

What is 24/5 + 6/7?

What is 24/5 + 6/7?

Here's how to add

24
5
+
6
7

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

24/5 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 5, and get 30, then multiply 5 by 7 and get 35.

6/7 times 5

The problem now has new fractions to add:

168
35
+
30
35

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

168 + 30 = 198

This yields the answer

198
35

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...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 24/5 + 6/7

24
5
+
6
7
=
198
35
© 2014 Randy Tayler