math help

What is 4/40 + 1/6?

What is 4/40 + 1/6?

This is how you add

4
40
+
1
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 4 by 6, and get 24, then we multiply 40 by 6 and get 240.

4/40 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 40, and get 40, then multiply 40 by 6 and get 240.

1/6 times 40

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

24
240
+
40
240

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

24 + 40 = 64

Answer:

64
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:

64
240
÷ 2 =
32
120

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

32
120
÷ 2 =
16
60

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

16
60
÷ 2 =
8
30

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

8
30
÷ 2 =
4
15

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 4/40 + 1/6

4
40
+
1
6
=
4
15
© 2014 Randy Tayler