math help

What is 64/4 + 2/5?

What is 64/4 + 2/5?

Here's how you add

64
4
+
2
5

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 5, and get 320, then we multiply 4 by 5 and get 20.

64/4 times 5

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 4, and get 8, then multiply 4 by 5 and get 20.

2/5 times 4

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

320
20
+
8
20

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

320 + 8 = 328

Answer:

328
20

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:

328
20
÷ 2 =
164
10

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

164
10
÷ 2 =
82
5

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...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 64/4 + 2/5

64
4
+
2
5
=
82
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler