math help

What is 96/2 + 1/5?

What is 96/2 + 1/5?

This is how to add

96
2
+
1
5

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 96 by 5, and get 480, then we multiply 2 by 5 and get 10.

96/2 times 5

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 1 by 2, and get 2, then multiply 2 by 5 and get 10.

1/5 times 2

So now our fractions look like this:

480
10
+
2
10

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

480 + 2 = 482

So the answer is:

482
10

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:

482
10
÷ 2 =
241
5

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

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

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 96/2 + 1/5

96
2
+
1
5
=
241
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler