math help

What is 64/17 + 2/4?

What is 64/17 + 2/4?

This is how we add

64
17
+
2
4

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 4, and get 256, then we multiply 17 by 4 and get 68.

64/17 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 17, and get 34, then multiply 17 by 4 and get 68.

2/4 times 17

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

256
68
+
34
68

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

256 + 34 = 290

That gives us the sum, which is

290
68

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:

290
68
÷ 2 =
145
34

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 34. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/17 + 2/4

64
17
+
2
4
=
145
34
© 2014 Randy Tayler