math help

What is 64/16 + 6/10?

What is 64/16 + 6/10?

Here's how you add

64
16
+
6
10

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 10, and get 640, then we multiply 16 by 10 and get 160.

64/16 times 10

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 16, and get 96, then multiply 16 by 10 and get 160.

6/10 times 16

So now our fractions look like this:

640
160
+
96
160

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

640 + 96 = 736

So the answer is:

736
160

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:

736
160
÷ 2 =
368
80

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

368
80
÷ 2 =
184
40

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

184
40
÷ 2 =
92
20

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

92
20
÷ 2 =
46
10

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

46
10
÷ 2 =
23
5

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...

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/16 + 6/10

64
16
+
6
10
=
23
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler