math help

What is 55/55 + 8/12?

What is 55/55 + 8/12?

Here's how we add

55
55
+
8
12

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 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 8 by 55, and get 440, then multiply 55 by 12 and get 660.

8/12 times 55

The problem now has new fractions to add:

660
660
+
440
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

660 + 440 = 1100

This yields the answer

1100
660

Step 3

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

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:

1100
660
÷ 2 =
550
330

Now, try the same number again.

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

550
330
÷ 2 =
275
165

Now, try the same number again.

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:

275
165
÷ 5 =
55
33

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

55
33
÷ 11 =
5
3

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 11 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 55/55 + 8/12

55
55
+
8
12
=
5
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler