math help

What is 30/50 + 3/6?

What is 30/50 + 3/6?

Here's how you add

30
50
+
3
6

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 6, and get 180, then we multiply 50 by 6 and get 300.

30/50 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 50, and get 150, then multiply 50 by 6 and get 300.

3/6 times 50

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

180
300
+
150
300

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

180 + 150 = 330

That gives us an answer of

330
300

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:

330
300
÷ 2 =
165
150

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...

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

165
150
÷ 3 =
55
50

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 5...

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

55
50
÷ 5 =
11
10

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. 11 is larger than 10. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 30/50 + 3/6

30
50
+
3
6
=
11
10
© 2014 Randy Tayler