math help

What is 6/88 + 2/10?

What is 6/88 + 2/10?

Let's add

6
88
+
2
10

Step 1

Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator.

Now you multiply 6 by 10, and get 60, then we multiply 88 by 10 and get 880.

6/88 times 10

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 88, and get 176, then multiply 88 by 10 and get 880.

2/10 times 88

The problem now has new fractions to add:

60
880
+
176
880

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

60 + 176 = 236

This yields the answer

236
880

Step 3

The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can.

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:

236
880
÷ 2 =
118
440

Now, try the same number again.

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

118
440
÷ 2 =
59
220

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...

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

No good. 61 is larger than 59. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/88 + 2/10

6
88
+
2
10
=
59
220
© 2014 Randy Tayler