math help

What is 30/50 + 1/8?

What is 30/50 + 1/8?

Here's how you add

30
50
+
1
8

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 30 by 8, and get 240, then we multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

30/50 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 50, and get 50, then multiply 50 by 8 and get 400.

1/8 times 50

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

240
400
+
50
400

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

240 + 50 = 290

That gives us an answer of

290
400

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

290
400
÷ 2 =
145
200

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...

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

145
200
÷ 5 =
29
40

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. 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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. 31 is larger than 29. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 30/50 + 1/8

30
50
+
1
8
=
29
40
© 2014 Randy Tayler