math help

What is 50/8 + 2/3?

What is 50/8 + 2/3?

Here's how to add

50
8
+
2
3

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 50 by 3, and get 150, then we multiply 8 by 3 and get 24.

50/8 times 3

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 8, and get 16, then multiply 8 by 3 and get 24.

2/3 times 8

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

150
24
+
16
24

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

150 + 16 = 166

That gives us the sum, which is

166
24

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:

166
24
÷ 2 =
83
12

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 50/8 + 2/3

50
8
+
2
3
=
83
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler