math help

What is 48/30 + 4/9?

What is 48/30 + 4/9?

Here's how to add

48
30
+
4
9

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 48 by 9, and get 432, then we multiply 30 by 9 and get 270.

48/30 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 30, and get 120, then multiply 30 by 9 and get 270.

4/9 times 30

We now have a new problem, that looks like this:

432
270
+
120
270

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

432 + 120 = 552

Answer:

552
270

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

552
270
÷ 2 =
276
135

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

276
135
÷ 3 =
92
45

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 45. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 48/30 + 4/9

48
30
+
4
9
=
92
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler