math help

What is 88/15 + 2/7?

What is 88/15 + 2/7?

Here's how to add

88
15
+
2
7

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 88 by 7, and get 616, then we multiply 15 by 7 and get 105.

88/15 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 15, and get 30, then multiply 15 by 7 and get 105.

2/7 times 15

So now our fractions look like this:

616
105
+
30
105

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

616 + 30 = 646

So the answer is:

646
105

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...

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 89...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 97...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 101...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 103...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 107...

No good. 107 is larger than 105. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 88/15 + 2/7

88
15
+
2
7
=
646
105
© 2014 Randy Tayler