math help

What is 4/3 + 4/8?

What is 4/3 + 4/8?

Here's how you add

4
3
+
4
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 4 by 8, and get 32, then we multiply 3 by 8 and get 24.

4/3 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 3, and get 12, then multiply 3 by 8 and get 24.

4/8 times 3

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

32
24
+
12
24

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

32 + 12 = 44

Answer:

44
24

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:

44
24
÷ 2 =
22
12

Now, try the same number again.

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

22
12
÷ 2 =
11
6

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

No good. 7 is larger than 6. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/3 + 4/8

4
3
+
4
8
=
11
6
© 2014 Randy Tayler