math help

What is 60/60 + 3/7?

What is 60/60 + 3/7?

Here's how we add

60
60
+
3
7

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 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 3 by 60, and get 180, then multiply 60 by 7 and get 420.

3/7 times 60

The problem now has new fractions to add:

420
420
+
180
420

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

420 + 180 = 600

This yields the answer

600
420

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
420
÷ 2 =
300
210

Now, try the same number again.

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

300
210
÷ 2 =
150
105

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:

150
105
÷ 3 =
50
35

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:

50
35
÷ 5 =
10
7

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 10. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 60/60 + 3/7

60
60
+
3
7
=
10
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler