math help

What is 60/60 + 1/7?

What is 60/60 + 1/7?

This is how you add

60
60
+
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 60 by 7 and get 420.

60/60 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 60, and get 60, then multiply 60 by 7 and get 420.

1/7 times 60

So now our fractions look like this:

420
420
+
60
420

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

420 + 60 = 480

So the answer is:

480
420

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:

480
420
÷ 2 =
240
210

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:

240
210
÷ 2 =
120
105

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:

120
105
÷ 3 =
40
35

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

40
35
÷ 5 =
8
7

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 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 8. So we're done reducing.

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

60
60
+
1
7
=
8
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler