math help

What is 55/55 + 6/11?

What is 55/55 + 6/11?

Let's add

55
55
+
6
11

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

55 goes into 11 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 6 by 5, and get 30, then we multiply 11 by 5 and get 55.

6/11 times 5

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

55
55
+
30
55

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

55 + 30 = 85

That gives us the sum, which is

85
55

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

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

85
55
÷ 5 =
17
11

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 55/55 + 6/11

55
55
+
6
11
=
17
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler