math help

What is 64/16 + 1/2?

What is 64/16 + 1/2?

This is how to add

64
16
+
1
2

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

16 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 8, and get 8, then we multiply 2 by 8 and get 16.

1/2 times 8

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

64
16
+
8
16

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

64 + 8 = 72

Answer:

72
16

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:

72
16
÷ 2 =
36
8

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:

36
8
÷ 2 =
18
4

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:

18
4
÷ 2 =
9
2

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...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 64/16 + 1/2

64
16
+
1
2
=
9
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler