math help

What is 50/8 + 2/7?

What is 50/8 + 2/7?

Here's how we add

50
8
+
2
7

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 7, and get 350, then we multiply 8 by 7 and get 56.

50/8 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 8, and get 16, then multiply 8 by 7 and get 56.

2/7 times 8

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

350
56
+
16
56

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

350 + 16 = 366

Answer:

366
56

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:

366
56
÷ 2 =
183
28

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...

No good. 29 is larger than 28. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 50/8 + 2/7

50
8
+
2
7
=
183
28
© 2014 Randy Tayler