math help

What is 7/14 + 5/9?

What is 7/14 + 5/9?

Here's how to add

7
14
+
5
9

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 7 by 9, and get 63, then we multiply 14 by 9 and get 126.

7/14 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 14, and get 70, then multiply 14 by 9 and get 126.

5/9 times 14

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

63
126
+
70
126

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

63 + 70 = 133

Answer:

133
126

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 7? Yes! So we reduce it:

133
126
÷ 7 =
19
18

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 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. 19 is larger than 18. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 7/14 + 5/9

7
14
+
5
9
=
19
18
© 2014 Randy Tayler