math help

What is 50/8 + 3/11?

What is 50/8 + 3/11?

This is how you add

50
8
+
3
11

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 50 by 11, and get 550, then we multiply 8 by 11 and get 88.

50/8 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 8, and get 24, then multiply 8 by 11 and get 88.

3/11 times 8

So now our fractions look like this:

550
88
+
24
88

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

550 + 24 = 574

So the answer is:

574
88

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

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:

574
88
÷ 2 =
287
44

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 44. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 50/8 + 3/11

50
8
+
3
11
=
287
44
© 2014 Randy Tayler