math help

What is 63/58 + 2/4?

What is 63/58 + 2/4?

Let's add

63
58
+
2
4

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 63 by 4, and get 252, then we multiply 58 by 4 and get 232.

63/58 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 58, and get 116, then multiply 58 by 4 and get 232.

2/4 times 58

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

252
232
+
116
232

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

252 + 116 = 368

That gives us the sum, which is

368
232

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:

368
232
÷ 2 =
184
116

Now, try the same number again.

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

184
116
÷ 2 =
92
58

Now, try the same number again.

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

92
58
÷ 2 =
46
29

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

No good. 31 is larger than 29. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 63/58 + 2/4

63
58
+
2
4
=
46
29
© 2014 Randy Tayler