math help

What is 64/16 + 5/11?

What is 64/16 + 5/11?

Here's how you add

64
16
+
5
11

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 64 by 11, and get 704, then we multiply 16 by 11 and get 176.

64/16 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 5 by 16, and get 80, then multiply 16 by 11 and get 176.

5/11 times 16

So now our fractions look like this:

704
176
+
80
176

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

704 + 80 = 784

So the answer is:

784
176

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:

784
176
÷ 2 =
392
88

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

392
88
÷ 2 =
196
44

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

196
44
÷ 2 =
98
22

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

98
22
÷ 2 =
49
11

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/16 + 5/11

64
16
+
5
11
=
49
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler