math help

What is 6/19 + 6/9?

What is 6/19 + 6/9?

Here's how you add

6
19
+
6
9

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 6 by 9, and get 54, then we multiply 19 by 9 and get 171.

6/19 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 6 by 19, and get 114, then multiply 19 by 9 and get 171.

6/9 times 19

So now our fractions look like this:

54
171
+
114
171

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

54 + 114 = 168

So the answer is:

168
171

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...

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

168
171
÷ 3 =
56
57

Now, try the same number again.

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...

No good. 59 is larger than 56. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/19 + 6/9

6
19
+
6
9
=
56
57
© 2014 Randy Tayler