math help

What is 4/52 + 6/8?

What is 4/52 + 6/8?

Here's how to add

4
52
+
6
8

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 8, and get 32, then we multiply 52 by 8 and get 416.

4/52 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 52, and get 312, then multiply 52 by 8 and get 416.

6/8 times 52

The problem now has new fractions to add:

32
416
+
312
416

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

32 + 312 = 344

The sum we get is

344
416

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:

344
416
÷ 2 =
172
208

Now, try the same number again.

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

172
208
÷ 2 =
86
104

Now, try the same number again.

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

86
104
÷ 2 =
43
52

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...

No good. 47 is larger than 43. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/52 + 6/8

4
52
+
6
8
=
43
52
© 2014 Randy Tayler