math help

What is 4/40 + 7/10?

What is 4/40 + 7/10?

Here's how you add

4
40
+
7
10

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

40 goes into 10 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 7 by 4, and get 28, then we multiply 10 by 4 and get 40.

7/10 times 4

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

4
40
+
28
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

4 + 28 = 32

So what's the answer so far?

32
40

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

32
40
÷ 2 =
16
20

Now, try the same number again.

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

16
20
÷ 2 =
8
10

Now, try the same number again.

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

8
10
÷ 2 =
4
5

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/40 + 7/10

4
40
+
7
10
=
4
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler