math help

What is 55/55 + 3/6?

What is 55/55 + 3/6?

Here's how to add

55
55
+
3
6

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 55 by 6, and get 330, then we multiply 55 by 6 and get 330.

55/55 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 55, and get 165, then multiply 55 by 6 and get 330.

3/6 times 55

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

330
330
+
165
330

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

330 + 165 = 495

That gives us the sum, which is

495
330

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:

495
330
÷ 3 =
165
110

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

165
110
÷ 5 =
33
22

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 7...

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

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

33
22
÷ 11 =
3
2

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

No good. 11 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 55/55 + 3/6

55
55
+
3
6
=
3
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler