math help

What is 56/60 + 2/5?

What is 56/60 + 2/5?

Here's how we add

56
60
+
2
5

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

60 goes into 5 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 12, and get 24, then we multiply 5 by 12 and get 60.

2/5 times 12

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

56
60
+
24
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

56 + 24 = 80

Answer:

80
60

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

80
60
÷ 2 =
40
30

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

40
30
÷ 2 =
20
15

Let's try dividing by that again...

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:

20
15
÷ 5 =
4
3

Let's try dividing by that again...

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 56/60 + 2/5

56
60
+
2
5
=
4
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler