math help

What is 6/88 + 3/9?

What is 6/88 + 3/9?

Let's add

6
88
+
3
9

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 9, and get 54, then we multiply 88 by 9 and get 792.

6/88 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 88, and get 264, then multiply 88 by 9 and get 792.

3/9 times 88

The problem now has new fractions to add:

54
792
+
264
792

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

54 + 264 = 318

This yields the answer

318
792

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:

318
792
÷ 2 =
159
396

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

159
396
÷ 3 =
53
132

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 53. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 6/88 + 3/9

6
88
+
3
9
=
53
132
© 2014 Randy Tayler