math help

What is 88/15 + 2/6?

What is 88/15 + 2/6?

This is how to add

88
15
+
2
6

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 88 by 6, and get 528, then we multiply 15 by 6 and get 90.

88/15 times 6

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 15, and get 30, then multiply 15 by 6 and get 90.

2/6 times 15

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

528
90
+
30
90

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

528 + 30 = 558

That gives us the sum, which is

558
90

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:

558
90
÷ 2 =
279
45

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

279
45
÷ 3 =
93
15

Let's try dividing by that again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

93
15
÷ 3 =
31
5

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

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

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 88/15 + 2/6

88
15
+
2
6
=
31
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler