math help

What is 64/4 + 1/3?

What is 64/4 + 1/3?

This is how you add

64
4
+
1
3

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 3, and get 192, then we multiply 4 by 3 and get 12.

64/4 times 3

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 4, and get 4, then multiply 4 by 3 and get 12.

1/3 times 4

So now our fractions look like this:

192
12
+
4
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

192 + 4 = 196

So the answer is:

196
12

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:

196
12
÷ 2 =
98
6

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

98
6
÷ 2 =
49
3

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...

No good. 5 is larger than 3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/4 + 1/3

64
4
+
1
3
=
49
3
© 2014 Randy Tayler