math help

What is 64/16 + 8/11?

What is 64/16 + 8/11?

Let's add

64
16
+
8
11

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

64/16 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 8 by 16, and get 128, then multiply 16 by 11 and get 176.

8/11 times 16

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

704
176
+
128
176

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

704 + 128 = 832

Answer:

832
176

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:

832
176
÷ 2 =
416
88

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

416
88
÷ 2 =
208
44

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

208
44
÷ 2 =
104
22

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

104
22
÷ 2 =
52
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 + 8/11

64
16
+
8
11
=
52
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler