math help

What is 25/9 + 3/5?

What is 25/9 + 3/5?

Here's how to add

25
9
+
3
5

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 25 by 5, and get 125, then we multiply 9 by 5 and get 45.

25/9 times 5

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 9, and get 27, then multiply 9 by 5 and get 45.

3/5 times 9

The problem now has new fractions to add:

125
45
+
27
45

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

125 + 27 = 152

This yields the answer

152
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 25/9 + 3/5

25
9
+
3
5
=
152
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler