math help

What is 4/52 + 3/8?

What is 4/52 + 3/8?

Here's how we add

4
52
+
3
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 52 by 8 and get 416.

4/52 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 52, and get 156, then multiply 52 by 8 and get 416.

3/8 times 52

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

32
416
+
156
416

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

32 + 156 = 188

Answer:

188
416

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:

188
416
÷ 2 =
94
208

Now, try the same number again.

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

94
208
÷ 2 =
47
104

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 47. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/52 + 3/8

4
52
+
3
8
=
47
104
© 2014 Randy Tayler