math help

What is 7/4 + 6/8?

What is 7/4 + 6/8?

Here's how we add

7
4
+
6
8

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

8 goes into 4 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 7 by 2, and get 14, then we multiply 4 by 2 and get 8.

7/4 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

14
8
+
6
8

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

14 + 6 = 20

That gives us an answer of

20
8

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

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

20
8
÷ 2 =
10
4

Now, try the same number again.

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

10
4
÷ 2 =
5
2

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 7/4 + 6/8

7
4
+
6
8
=
5
2
© 2014 Randy Tayler