math help

What is 88/15 + 3/9?

What is 88/15 + 3/9?

This is how we add

88
15
+
3
9

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 9, and get 792, then we multiply 15 by 9 and get 135.

88/15 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 15, and get 45, then multiply 15 by 9 and get 135.

3/9 times 15

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

792
135
+
45
135

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

792 + 45 = 837

Answer:

837
135

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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

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

837
135
÷ 3 =
279
45

Now, try the same number again.

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

279
45
÷ 3 =
93
15

Now, try the same number again.

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

93
15
÷ 3 =
31
5

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 88/15 + 3/9

88
15
+
3
9
=
31
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler