math help

What is 4/52 + 2/5?

What is 4/52 + 2/5?

Here's how to add

4
52
+
2
5

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 5, and get 20, then we multiply 52 by 5 and get 260.

4/52 times 5

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 52, and get 104, then multiply 52 by 5 and get 260.

2/5 times 52

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

20
260
+
104
260

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

20 + 104 = 124

That gives us the sum, which is

124
260

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:

124
260
÷ 2 =
62
130

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

62
130
÷ 2 =
31
65

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 31. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 4/52 + 2/5

4
52
+
2
5
=
31
65
© 2014 Randy Tayler