What is 45/3 + 3/9?

Here's how we add

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

Since 3 is evenly divided by 9, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 45 by 3, and get 135, then we multiply 3 by 3 and get 9.

So now our fractions look like this:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

135 + 3 = 138

Now we have an answer.

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! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 45/3 + 3/9