math help

What is 53/9 + 9/12?

What is 53/9 + 9/12?

This is how to add

53
9
+
9
12

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 12, and get 636, then we multiply 9 by 12 and get 108.

53/9 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 9 by 9, and get 81, then multiply 9 by 12 and get 108.

9/12 times 9

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

636
108
+
81
108

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

636 + 81 = 717

Answer:

717
108

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

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

717
108
÷ 3 =
239
36

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

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

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 53/9 + 9/12

53
9
+
9
12
=
239
36
© 2014 Randy Tayler