math help

What is 80/2 + 7/11?

What is 80/2 + 7/11?

This is how you add

80
2
+
7
11

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 80 by 11, and get 880, then we multiply 2 by 11 and get 22.

80/2 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 2, and get 14, then multiply 2 by 11 and get 22.

7/11 times 2

So now our fractions look like this:

880
22
+
14
22

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

880 + 14 = 894

Now we have an answer.

894
22

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

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

894
22
÷ 2 =
447
11

Now, try the same number again.

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 80/2 + 7/11

80
2
+
7
11
=
447
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler