math help

What is 30/50 + 8/11?

What is 30/50 + 8/11?

Let's add

30
50
+
8
11

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 30 by 11, and get 330, then we multiply 50 by 11 and get 550.

30/50 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 50, and get 400, then multiply 50 by 11 and get 550.

8/11 times 50

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

330
550
+
400
550

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

330 + 400 = 730

Answer:

730
550

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:

730
550
÷ 2 =
365
275

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

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

365
275
÷ 5 =
73
55

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

No good. 59 is larger than 55. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 30/50 + 8/11

30
50
+
8
11
=
73
55
© 2014 Randy Tayler