math help

What is 55/55 + 9/12?

What is 55/55 + 9/12?

Here's how you add

55
55
+
9
12

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

55/55 times 12

Now for the second term. You multiply 9 by 55, and get 495, then multiply 55 by 12 and get 660.

9/12 times 55

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

660
660
+
495
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

660 + 495 = 1155

Answer:

1155
660

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:

1155
660
÷ 3 =
385
220

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:

385
220
÷ 5 =
77
44

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:

77
44
÷ 11 =
7
4

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

No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 55/55 + 9/12

55
55
+
9
12
=
7
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler