math help

What is 60/48 + 1/7?

What is 60/48 + 1/7?

Here's how we add

60
48
+
1
7

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 60 by 7, and get 420, then we multiply 48 by 7 and get 336.

60/48 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 48, and get 48, then multiply 48 by 7 and get 336.

1/7 times 48

So now our fractions look like this:

420
336
+
48
336

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

420 + 48 = 468

Now we have an answer.

468
336

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:

468
336
÷ 2 =
234
168

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:

234
168
÷ 2 =
117
84

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

117
84
÷ 3 =
39
28

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...

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. 29 is larger than 28. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 60/48 + 1/7

60
48
+
1
7
=
39
28
© 2014 Randy Tayler