math help

What is 78/10 + 1/7?

What is 78/10 + 1/7?

Here's how you add

78
10
+
1
7

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 78 by 7, and get 546, then we multiply 10 by 7 and get 70.

78/10 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 10, and get 10, then multiply 10 by 7 and get 70.

1/7 times 10

So now our fractions look like this:

546
70
+
10
70

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

546 + 10 = 556

So the answer is:

556
70

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...

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

556
70
÷ 2 =
278
35

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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 35. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 78/10 + 1/7

78
10
+
1
7
=
278
35
© 2014 Randy Tayler