math help

What is 50/8 + 3/6?

What is 50/8 + 3/6?

Here's how we add

50
8
+
3
6

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 6, and get 300, then we multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

50/8 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 8, and get 24, then multiply 8 by 6 and get 48.

3/6 times 8

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

300
48
+
24
48

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

300 + 24 = 324

Answer:

324
48

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:

324
48
÷ 2 =
162
24

Now, try the same number again.

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

162
24
÷ 2 =
81
12

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

81
12
÷ 3 =
27
4

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 50/8 + 3/6

50
8
+
3
6
=
27
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler