math help

What is 50/8 + 3/9?

What is 50/8 + 3/9?

Here's how to add

50
8
+
3
9

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 50 by 9, and get 450, then we multiply 8 by 9 and get 72.

50/8 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 8, and get 24, then multiply 8 by 9 and get 72.

3/9 times 8

The problem now has new fractions to add:

450
72
+
24
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

450 + 24 = 474

The sum we get is

474
72

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

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:

474
72
÷ 2 =
237
36

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:

237
36
÷ 3 =
79
12

Now, try the same number again.

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...

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 50/8 + 3/9

50
8
+
3
9
=
79
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler