math help

What is 64/16 + 4/8?

What is 64/16 + 4/8?

Let's add

64
16
+
4
8

Step 1

We have to make sure the denominators are equal.

Since 8 is evenly divided by 16, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 4 by 2, and get 8, then we multiply 8 by 2 and get 16.

4/8 times 2

So now our fractions look like this:

64
16
+
8
16

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

64 + 8 = 72

Now we have an answer.

72
16

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:

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 + 4/8

64
16
+
4
8
=
9
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler