math help

What is 4/52 + 3/11?

What is 4/52 + 3/11?

Here's how to add

4
52
+
3
11

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 4 by 11, and get 44, then we multiply 52 by 11 and get 572.

4/52 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 52, and get 156, then multiply 52 by 11 and get 572.

3/11 times 52

The problem now has new fractions to add:

44
572
+
156
572

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

44 + 156 = 200

The sum we get is

200
572

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

200
572
÷ 2 =
100
286

Now, try the same number again.

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

100
286
÷ 2 =
50
143

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...

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

No good. 53 is larger than 50. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/52 + 3/11

4
52
+
3
11
=
50
143
© 2014 Randy Tayler