math help

What is 64/16 + 4/7?

What is 64/16 + 4/7?

Here's how to add

64
16
+
4
7

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 64 by 7, and get 448, then we multiply 16 by 7 and get 112.

64/16 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 16, and get 64, then multiply 16 by 7 and get 112.

4/7 times 16

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

448
112
+
64
112

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

448 + 64 = 512

Answer:

512
112

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:

512
112
÷ 2 =
256
56

Now, try the same number again.

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

256
56
÷ 2 =
128
28

Now, try the same number again.

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

128
28
÷ 2 =
64
14

Now, try the same number again.

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

64
14
÷ 2 =
32
7

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...

No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 64/16 + 4/7

64
16
+
4
7
=
32
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler