math help

What is 7/14 + 6/8?

What is 7/14 + 6/8?

Here's how to add

7
14
+
6
8

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 8, and get 56, then we multiply 14 by 8 and get 112.

7/14 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 14, and get 84, then multiply 14 by 8 and get 112.

6/8 times 14

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

56
112
+
84
112

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

56 + 84 = 140

Answer:

140
112

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:

140
112
÷ 2 =
70
56

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:

70
56
÷ 2 =
35
28

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...

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

35
28
÷ 7 =
5
4

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

No good. 7 is larger than 5. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 7/14 + 6/8

7
14
+
6
8
=
5
4
© 2014 Randy Tayler