math help

What is 70/51 + 5/6?

What is 70/51 + 5/6?

This is how to add

70
51
+
5
6

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 70 by 6, and get 420, then we multiply 51 by 6 and get 306.

70/51 times 6

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 5 by 51, and get 255, then multiply 51 by 6 and get 306.

5/6 times 51

So now our fractions look like this:

420
306
+
255
306

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

420 + 255 = 675

Now we have an answer.

675
306

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! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

675
306
÷ 3 =
225
102

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

225
102
÷ 3 =
75
34

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 34. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 70/51 + 5/6

70
51
+
5
6
=
75
34
© 2014 Randy Tayler