math help

What is 88/15 + 4/8?

What is 88/15 + 4/8?

This is how we add

88
15
+
4
8

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 8, and get 704, then we multiply 15 by 8 and get 120.

88/15 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 15, and get 60, then multiply 15 by 8 and get 120.

4/8 times 15

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

704
120
+
60
120

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

704 + 60 = 764

Answer:

764
120

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:

764
120
÷ 2 =
382
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

382
60
÷ 2 =
191
30

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...

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...

No good. 31 is larger than 30. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 88/15 + 4/8

88
15
+
4
8
=
191
30
© 2014 Randy Tayler