math help

What is 53/9 + 5/8?

What is 53/9 + 5/8?

Here's how you add

53
9
+
5
8

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 53 by 8, and get 424, then we multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

53/9 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 9, and get 45, then multiply 9 by 8 and get 72.

5/8 times 9

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

424
72
+
45
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

424 + 45 = 469

Answer:

469
72

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

No good. 73 is larger than 72. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 53/9 + 5/8

53
9
+
5
8
=
469
72
© 2014 Randy Tayler