math help

What is 48/30 + 5/8?

What is 48/30 + 5/8?

Here's how to add

48
30
+
5
8

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 8, and get 384, then we multiply 30 by 8 and get 240.

48/30 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 30, and get 150, then multiply 30 by 8 and get 240.

5/8 times 30

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

384
240
+
150
240

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

384 + 150 = 534

Answer:

534
240

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:

534
240
÷ 2 =
267
120

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:

267
120
÷ 3 =
89
40

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...

No good. 41 is larger than 40. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 48/30 + 5/8

48
30
+
5
8
=
89
40
© 2014 Randy Tayler