math help

What is 25/9 + 4/8?

What is 25/9 + 4/8?

Here's how we add

25
9
+
4
8

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 8, and get 200, then we multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

25/9 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 4 by 9, and get 36, then multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

4/8 times 9

The problem now has new fractions to add:

200
72
+
36
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

200 + 36 = 236

The sum we get is

236
72

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

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

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

236
72
÷ 2 =
118
36

Now, try the same number again.

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

118
36
÷ 2 =
59
18

Now, try the same number again.

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...

No good. 19 is larger than 18. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 25/9 + 4/8

25
9
+
4
8
=
59
18
© 2014 Randy Tayler