math help

What is 5/10 + 7/11?

What is 5/10 + 7/11?

Here's how you add

5
10
+
7
11

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 5 by 11, and get 55, then we multiply 10 by 11 and get 110.

5/10 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 7 by 10, and get 70, then multiply 10 by 11 and get 110.

7/11 times 10

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

55
110
+
70
110

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

55 + 70 = 125

That gives us an answer of

125
110

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide 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:

125
110
÷ 5 =
25
22

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

No good. 23 is larger than 22. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 5/10 + 7/11

5
10
+
7
11
=
25
22
© 2014 Randy Tayler