math help

What is 40/41 + 2/5?

What is 40/41 + 2/5?

Here's how we add

40
41
+
2
5

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 40 by 5, and get 200, then we multiply 41 by 5 and get 205.

40/41 times 5

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 41, and get 82, then multiply 41 by 5 and get 205.

2/5 times 41

So now our fractions look like this:

200
205
+
82
205

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

200 + 82 = 282

So the answer is:

282
205

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing 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...

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 89...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 97...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 101...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 103...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 107...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 109...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 113...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 127...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 131...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 137...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 139...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 149...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 151...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 157...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 163...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 167...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 173...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 179...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 181...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 191...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 193...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 197...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 199...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 211...

No good. 211 is larger than 205. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 40/41 + 2/5

40
41
+
2
5
=
282
205
© 2014 Randy Tayler