math help

What is 78/10 + 2/6?

What is 78/10 + 2/6?

Here's how you add

78
10
+
2
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 78 by 6, and get 468, then we multiply 10 by 6 and get 60.

78/10 times 6

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 10, and get 20, then multiply 10 by 6 and get 60.

2/6 times 10

So now our fractions look like this:

468
60
+
20
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

468 + 20 = 488

So the answer is:

488
60

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:

488
60
÷ 2 =
244
30

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

244
30
÷ 2 =
122
15

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...

No good. 17 is larger than 15. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 78/10 + 2/6

78
10
+
2
6
=
122
15
© 2014 Randy Tayler