math help

What is 40/41 + 5/7?

What is 40/41 + 5/7?

This is how you add

40
41
+
5
7

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 40 by 7, and get 280, then we multiply 41 by 7 and get 287.

40/41 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 41, and get 205, then multiply 41 by 7 and get 287.

5/7 times 41

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

280
287
+
205
287

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

280 + 205 = 485

So what's the answer so far?

485
287

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 151...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 157...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 163...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 167...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 173...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 179...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 181...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 191...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 193...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 197...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 199...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 211...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 223...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 227...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 229...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 233...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 239...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 241...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 251...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 257...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 263...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 269...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 271...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 277...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 281...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 283...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 293...

No good. 293 is larger than 287. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 40/41 + 5/7

40
41
+
5
7
=
485
287
© 2014 Randy Tayler