math help

What is 25/15 + 7/9?

What is 25/15 + 7/9?

Here's how to add

25
15
+
7
9

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 25 by 9, and get 225, then we multiply 15 by 9 and get 135.

25/15 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 15, and get 105, then multiply 15 by 9 and get 135.

7/9 times 15

So now our fractions look like this:

225
135
+
105
135

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

225 + 105 = 330

So the answer is:

330
135

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

330
135
÷ 3 =
110
45

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

110
45
÷ 5 =
22
9

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 25/15 + 7/9

25
15
+
7
9
=
22
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler