math help

What is 4/52 + 5/10?

What is 4/52 + 5/10?

Let's add

4
52
+
5
10

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 10, and get 40, then we multiply 52 by 10 and get 520.

4/52 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 52, and get 260, then multiply 52 by 10 and get 520.

5/10 times 52

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

40
520
+
260
520

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

40 + 260 = 300

That gives us the sum, which is

300
520

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:

300
520
÷ 2 =
150
260

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

150
260
÷ 2 =
75
130

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

75
130
÷ 5 =
15
26

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. 17 is larger than 15. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 4/52 + 5/10

4
52
+
5
10
=
15
26
© 2014 Randy Tayler