math help

What is 55/55 + 7/9?

What is 55/55 + 7/9?

Here's how to add

55
55
+
7
9

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 55 by 9, and get 495, then we multiply 55 by 9 and get 495.

55/55 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 55, and get 385, then multiply 55 by 9 and get 495.

7/9 times 55

The problem now has new fractions to add:

495
495
+
385
495

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

495 + 385 = 880

The sum we get is

880
495

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

To find out, we try dividing 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...

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

880
495
÷ 5 =
176
99

Let's try dividing by that again...

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:

176
99
÷ 11 =
16
9

Let's try dividing by that again...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 55/55 + 7/9

55
55
+
7
9
=
16
9
© 2014 Randy Tayler