math help

What is 96/2 + 3/7?

What is 96/2 + 3/7?

This is how we add

96
2
+
3
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 96 by 7, and get 672, then we multiply 2 by 7 and get 14.

96/2 times 7

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 2, and get 6, then multiply 2 by 7 and get 14.

3/7 times 2

So now our fractions look like this:

672
14
+
6
14

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

672 + 6 = 678

Now we have an answer.

678
14

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:

678
14
÷ 2 =
339
7

Let's try dividing by that again...

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

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

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 96/2 + 3/7

96
2
+
3
7
=
339
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler