math help

What is 48/30 + 3/11?

What is 48/30 + 3/11?

Let's add

48
30
+
3
11

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 48 by 11, and get 528, then we multiply 30 by 11 and get 330.

48/30 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 30, and get 90, then multiply 30 by 11 and get 330.

3/11 times 30

So now our fractions look like this:

528
330
+
90
330

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

528 + 90 = 618

Now we have an answer.

618
330

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:

618
330
÷ 2 =
309
165

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...

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

309
165
÷ 3 =
103
55

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 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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 59...

No good. 59 is larger than 55. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 48/30 + 3/11

48
30
+
3
11
=
103
55
© 2014 Randy Tayler