math help

What is 64/17 + 2/8?

What is 64/17 + 2/8?

Here's how to add

64
17
+
2
8

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 8, and get 512, then we multiply 17 by 8 and get 136.

64/17 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 17, and get 34, then multiply 17 by 8 and get 136.

2/8 times 17

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

512
136
+
34
136

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

512 + 34 = 546

Answer:

546
136

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:

546
136
÷ 2 =
273
68

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

No good. 71 is larger than 68. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 64/17 + 2/8

64
17
+
2
8
=
273
68
© 2014 Randy Tayler