math help

What is 36/4 + 6/9?

What is 36/4 + 6/9?

This is how to add

36
4
+
6
9

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 9, and get 324, then we multiply 4 by 9 and get 36.

36/4 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 4, and get 24, then multiply 4 by 9 and get 36.

6/9 times 4

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

324
36
+
24
36

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

324 + 24 = 348

That gives us the sum, which is

348
36

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:

348
36
÷ 2 =
174
18

Now, try the same number again.

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

174
18
÷ 2 =
87
9

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

87
9
÷ 3 =
29
3

Now, try the same number again.

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

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 36/4 + 6/9

36
4
+
6
9
=
29
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler