math help

What is 45/4 + 9/10?

What is 45/4 + 9/10?

Here's how you add

45
4
+
9
10

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 45 by 10, and get 450, then we multiply 4 by 10 and get 40.

45/4 times 10

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 9 by 4, and get 36, then multiply 4 by 10 and get 40.

9/10 times 4

So now our fractions look like this:

450
40
+
36
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

450 + 36 = 486

Now we have an answer.

486
40

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...

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

486
40
÷ 2 =
243
20

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 20. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 45/4 + 9/10

45
4
+
9
10
=
243
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler