math help

What is 53/9 + 2/6?

What is 53/9 + 2/6?

Here's how to add

53
9
+
2
6

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 53 by 6, and get 318, then we multiply 9 by 6 and get 54.

53/9 times 6

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 9, and get 18, then multiply 9 by 6 and get 54.

2/6 times 9

The problem now has new fractions to add:

318
54
+
18
54

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

318 + 18 = 336

The sum we get is

336
54

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:

336
54
÷ 2 =
168
27

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:

168
27
÷ 3 =
56
9

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...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 53/9 + 2/6

53
9
+
2
6
=
56
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler