math help

What is 36/4 + 7/8?

What is 36/4 + 7/8?

This is how to add

36
4
+
7
8

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

8 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 36 by 2, and get 72, then we multiply 4 by 2 and get 8.

36/4 times 2

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

72
8
+
7
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 7 = 79

That gives us the sum, which is

79
8

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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...

No good. 11 is larger than 8. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 36/4 + 7/8

36
4
+
7
8
=
79
8
© 2014 Randy Tayler