math help

What is 64/4 + 2/10?

What is 64/4 + 2/10?

This is how we add

64
4
+
2
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 4 by 10 and get 40.

64/4 times 10

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 4, and get 8, then multiply 4 by 10 and get 40.

2/10 times 4

So now our fractions look like this:

640
40
+
8
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

640 + 8 = 648

So the answer is:

648
40

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:

648
40
÷ 2 =
324
20

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

324
20
÷ 2 =
162
10

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

162
10
÷ 2 =
81
5

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

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

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 64/4 + 2/10

64
4
+
2
10
=
81
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler