math help

What is 6/88 + 1/2?

What is 6/88 + 1/2?

This is how to add

6
88
+
1
2

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

88 goes into 2 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 1 by 44, and get 44, then we multiply 2 by 44 and get 88.

1/2 times 44

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

6
88
+
44
88

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

6 + 44 = 50

That gives us an answer of

50
88

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

50
88
÷ 2 =
25
44

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...

No good. 29 is larger than 25. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/88 + 1/2

6
88
+
1
2
=
25
44
© 2014 Randy Tayler