math help

What is 50/8 + 8/9?

What is 50/8 + 8/9?

Here's how you add

50
8
+
8
9

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

50/8 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 8, and get 64, then multiply 8 by 9 and get 72.

8/9 times 8

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

450
72
+
64
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

450 + 64 = 514

Answer:

514
72

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:

514
72
÷ 2 =
257
36

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...

No good. 37 is larger than 36. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 50/8 + 8/9

50
8
+
8
9
=
257
36
© 2014 Randy Tayler