math help

What is 7/16 + 2/10?

What is 7/16 + 2/10?

Here's how to add

7
16
+
2
10

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 10, and get 70, then we multiply 16 by 10 and get 160.

7/16 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 16, and get 32, then multiply 16 by 10 and get 160.

2/10 times 16

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

70
160
+
32
160

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

70 + 32 = 102

Answer:

102
160

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:

102
160
÷ 2 =
51
80

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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 53...

No good. 53 is larger than 51. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 7/16 + 2/10

7
16
+
2
10
=
51
80
© 2014 Randy Tayler