math help

What is 3/64 + 4/10?

What is 3/64 + 4/10?

Here's how we add

3
64
+
4
10

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 3 by 10, and get 30, then we multiply 64 by 10 and get 640.

3/64 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 64, and get 256, then multiply 64 by 10 and get 640.

4/10 times 64

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

30
640
+
256
640

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

30 + 256 = 286

That gives us an answer of

286
640

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

286
640
÷ 2 =
143
320

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...

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 97...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 101...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 103...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 107...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 109...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 113...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 127...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 131...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 137...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 139...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 149...

No good. 149 is larger than 143. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 3/64 + 4/10

3
64
+
4
10
=
143
320
© 2014 Randy Tayler