math help

What is 2/6 + 2/9?

What is 2/6 + 2/9?

Here's how you add

2
6
+
2
9

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 2 by 9, and get 18, then we multiply 6 by 9 and get 54.

2/6 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 6, and get 12, then multiply 6 by 9 and get 54.

2/9 times 6

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

18
54
+
12
54

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

18 + 12 = 30

Answer:

30
54

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:

30
54
÷ 2 =
15
27

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

15
27
÷ 3 =
5
9

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 2/6 + 2/9

2
6
+
2
9
=
5
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler