math help

What is 32/1 + 6/8?

What is 32/1 + 6/8?

Here's how you add

32
1
+
6
8

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

8 goes into 1 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 32 by 8, and get 256, then we multiply 1 by 8 and get 8.

32/1 times 8

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

256
8
+
6
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

256 + 6 = 262

That gives us the sum, which is

262
8

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:

262
8
÷ 2 =
131
4

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...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 32/1 + 6/8

32
1
+
6
8
=
131
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler