math help

What is 45/4 + 4/8?

What is 45/4 + 4/8?

Here's how you add

45
4
+
4
8

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

8 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 45 by 2, and get 90, then we multiply 4 by 2 and get 8.

45/4 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

90
8
+
4
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

90 + 4 = 94

So what's the answer so far?

94
8

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:

94
8
÷ 2 =
47
4

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 45/4 + 4/8

45
4
+
4
8
=
47
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler