math help

What is 48/30 + 1/2?

What is 48/30 + 1/2?

Here's how we add

48
30
+
1
2

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

30 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 15, and get 15, then we multiply 2 by 15 and get 30.

1/2 times 15

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

48
30
+
15
30

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

48 + 15 = 63

That gives us an answer of

63
30

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...

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

63
30
÷ 3 =
21
10

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

No good. 11 is larger than 10. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 48/30 + 1/2

48
30
+
1
2
=
21
10
© 2014 Randy Tayler