math help

What is 55/55 + 6/12?

What is 55/55 + 6/12?

This is how you add

55
55
+
6
12

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 55 by 12, and get 660, then we multiply 55 by 12 and get 660.

55/55 times 12

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 55, and get 330, then multiply 55 by 12 and get 660.

6/12 times 55

So now our fractions look like this:

660
660
+
330
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

660 + 330 = 990

So the answer is:

990
660

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

990
660
÷ 2 =
495
330

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 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 + 6/12

55
55
+
6
12
=
3
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler