math help

What is 49/9 + 1/8?

What is 49/9 + 1/8?

Here's how we add

49
9
+
1
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 49 by 8, and get 392, then we multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

49/9 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 9, and get 9, then multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

1/8 times 9

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

392
72
+
9
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

392 + 9 = 401

Answer:

401
72

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

No good. 73 is larger than 72. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 49/9 + 1/8

49
9
+
1
8
=
401
72
© 2014 Randy Tayler