math help

What is 3/64 + 5/10?

What is 3/64 + 5/10?

Here's how you add

3
64
+
5
10

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

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

3/64 times 10

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 5 by 64, and get 320, then multiply 64 by 10 and get 640.

5/10 times 64

The problem now has new fractions to add:

30
640
+
320
640

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

30 + 320 = 350

This yields the answer

350
640

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

350
640
÷ 2 =
175
320

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

175
320
÷ 5 =
35
64

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 35. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 3/64 + 5/10

3
64
+
5
10
=
35
64
© 2014 Randy Tayler