math help

What is 48/30 + 8/9?

What is 48/30 + 8/9?

Here's how we add

48
30
+
8
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 8 by 30, and get 240, then multiply 30 by 9 and get 270.

8/9 times 30

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

432
270
+
240
270

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

432 + 240 = 672

That gives us the sum, which is

672
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:

672
270
÷ 2 =
336
135

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:

336
135
÷ 3 =
112
45

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. 47 is larger than 45. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 48/30 + 8/9

48
30
+
8
9
=
112
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler