math help

What is 60/48 + 6/9?

What is 60/48 + 6/9?

Here's how we add

60
48
+
6
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 6 by 48, and get 288, then multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

6/9 times 48

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

540
432
+
288
432

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

540 + 288 = 828

Answer:

828
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:

828
432
÷ 2 =
414
216

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

414
216
÷ 2 =
207
108

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

207
108
÷ 3 =
69
36

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

69
36
÷ 3 =
23
12

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 60/48 + 6/9

60
48
+
6
9
=
23
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler