math help

What is 53/9 + 4/6?

What is 53/9 + 4/6?

This is how you add

53
9
+
4
6

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 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 4 by 9, and get 36, then multiply 9 by 6 and get 54.

4/6 times 9

So now our fractions look like this:

318
54
+
36
54

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

318 + 36 = 354

So the answer is:

354
54

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:

354
54
÷ 2 =
177
27

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

177
27
÷ 3 =
59
9

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 53/9 + 4/6

53
9
+
4
6
=
59
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler