math help

What is 78/10 + 7/9?

What is 78/10 + 7/9?

This is how to add

78
10
+
7
9

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 9, and get 702, then we multiply 10 by 9 and get 90.

78/10 times 9

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 10, and get 70, then multiply 10 by 9 and get 90.

7/9 times 10

So now our fractions look like this:

702
90
+
70
90

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

702 + 70 = 772

So the answer is:

772
90

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:

772
90
÷ 2 =
386
45

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 41...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 43...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 45. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 78/10 + 7/9

78
10
+
7
9
=
386
45
© 2014 Randy Tayler