math help

What is 60/48 + 2/9?

What is 60/48 + 2/9?

Here's how to add

60
48
+
2
9

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 60 by 9, and get 540, then we multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

60/48 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 48, and get 96, then multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

2/9 times 48

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

540
432
+
96
432

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

540 + 96 = 636

That gives us the sum, which is

636
432

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:

636
432
÷ 2 =
318
216

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:

318
216
÷ 2 =
159
108

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:

159
108
÷ 3 =
53
36

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 36. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 60/48 + 2/9

60
48
+
2
9
=
53
36
© 2014 Randy Tayler