math help

What is 60/60 + 2/8?

What is 60/60 + 2/8?

Here's how we add

60
60
+
2
8

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 60 by 8, and get 480, then we multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

60/60 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 60, and get 120, then multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

2/8 times 60

The problem now has new fractions to add:

480
480
+
120
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

480 + 120 = 600

This yields the answer

600
480

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

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:

600
480
÷ 2 =
300
240

Now, try the same number again.

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

300
240
÷ 2 =
150
120

Now, try the same number again.

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

150
120
÷ 2 =
75
60

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

75
60
÷ 3 =
25
20

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

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

25
20
÷ 5 =
5
4

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 60/60 + 2/8

60
60
+
2
8
=
5
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler