math help

What is 55/55 + 2/5?

What is 55/55 + 2/5?

Here's how you add

55
55
+
2
5

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

55 goes into 5 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 11, and get 22, then we multiply 5 by 11 and get 55.

2/5 times 11

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

55
55
+
22
55

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

55 + 22 = 77

So what's the answer so far?

77
55

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 11? Yes! So we reduce it:

77
55
÷ 11 =
7
5

Let's try dividing by that again...

No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 55/55 + 2/5

55
55
+
2
5
=
7
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler