math help

What is 25/36 + 2/8?

What is 25/36 + 2/8?

Let's add

25
36
+
2
8

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 25 by 8, and get 200, then we multiply 36 by 8 and get 288.

25/36 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 36, and get 72, then multiply 36 by 8 and get 288.

2/8 times 36

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

200
288
+
72
288

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

200 + 72 = 272

That gives us the sum, which is

272
288

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

272
288
÷ 2 =
136
144

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

136
144
÷ 2 =
68
72

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

68
72
÷ 2 =
34
36

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

34
36
÷ 2 =
17
18

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 3...

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

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. 19 is larger than 17. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 25/36 + 2/8

25
36
+
2
8
=
17
18
© 2014 Randy Tayler