math help

What is 78/92 + 3/6?

What is 78/92 + 3/6?

Here's how we add

78
92
+
3
6

Step 1

Can you add yet? Nope! The denominators don't match. We need a common denominator. So next we take both denominators and multiply them. Next, take each numerator and multiply it by the denominator of the other term.

So, we multiply 78 by 6, and get 468, then we multiply 92 by 6 and get 552.

78/92 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 92, and get 276, then multiply 92 by 6 and get 552.

3/6 times 92

We now have a new problem, that looks like this:

468
552
+
276
552

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

468 + 276 = 744

Answer:

744
552

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

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

744
552
÷ 2 =
372
276

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

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

372
276
÷ 2 =
186
138

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

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

186
138
÷ 2 =
93
69

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...

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

93
69
÷ 3 =
31
23

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 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. 29 is larger than 23. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 78/92 + 3/6

78
92
+
3
6
=
31
23
© 2014 Randy Tayler