math help

What is 63/58 + 3/8?

What is 63/58 + 3/8?

This is how to add

63
58
+
3
8

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 63 by 8, and get 504, then we multiply 58 by 8 and get 464.

63/58 times 8

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 58, and get 174, then multiply 58 by 8 and get 464.

3/8 times 58

So now our fractions look like this:

504
464
+
174
464

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

504 + 174 = 678

Now we have an answer.

678
464

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:

678
464
÷ 2 =
339
232

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 97...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 101...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 103...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 107...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 109...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 113...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 127...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 131...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 137...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 139...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 149...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 151...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 157...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 163...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 167...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 173...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 179...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 181...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 191...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 193...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 197...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 199...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 211...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 223...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 227...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 229...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 233...

No good. 233 is larger than 232. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 63/58 + 3/8

63
58
+
3
8
=
339
232
© 2014 Randy Tayler