math help

What is 49/9 + 3/6?

What is 49/9 + 3/6?

Here's how we add

49
9
+
3
6

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 6, and get 294, then we multiply 9 by 6 and get 54.

49/9 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 9, and get 27, then multiply 9 by 6 and get 54.

3/6 times 9

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

294
54
+
27
54

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

294 + 27 = 321

Answer:

321
54

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...

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

321
54
÷ 3 =
107
18

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...

No good. 19 is larger than 18. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 49/9 + 3/6

49
9
+
3
6
=
107
18
© 2014 Randy Tayler