math help

What is 56/60 + 4/8?

What is 56/60 + 4/8?

This is how you add

56
60
+
4
8

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 56 by 8, and get 448, then we multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

56/60 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 4 by 60, and get 240, then multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

4/8 times 60

So now our fractions look like this:

448
480
+
240
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

448 + 240 = 688

So the answer is:

688
480

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:

688
480
÷ 2 =
344
240

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

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

344
240
÷ 2 =
172
120

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

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

172
120
÷ 2 =
86
60

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

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

86
60
÷ 2 =
43
30

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...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

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...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. 31 is larger than 30. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 56/60 + 4/8

56
60
+
4
8
=
43
30
© 2014 Randy Tayler