math help

What is 50/8 + 2/5?

What is 50/8 + 2/5?

This is how you add

50
8
+
2
5

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 50 by 5, and get 250, then we multiply 8 by 5 and get 40.

50/8 times 5

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 8, and get 16, then multiply 8 by 5 and get 40.

2/5 times 8

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

250
40
+
16
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

250 + 16 = 266

That gives us an answer of

266
40

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

266
40
÷ 2 =
133
20

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...

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 20. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 50/8 + 2/5

50
8
+
2
5
=
133
20
© 2014 Randy Tayler