math help

What is 36/4 + 4/11?

What is 36/4 + 4/11?

This is how to add

36
4
+
4
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 36 by 11, and get 396, then we multiply 4 by 11 and get 44.

36/4 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 4, and get 16, then multiply 4 by 11 and get 44.

4/11 times 4

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

396
44
+
16
44

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

396 + 16 = 412

That gives us the sum, which is

412
44

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:

412
44
÷ 2 =
206
22

Now, try the same number again.

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

206
22
÷ 2 =
103
11

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 36/4 + 4/11

36
4
+
4
11
=
103
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler