math help

What is 96/2 + 6/7?

What is 96/2 + 6/7?

This is how to add

96
2
+
6
7

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

96/2 times 7

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 2, and get 12, then multiply 2 by 7 and get 14.

6/7 times 2

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

672
14
+
12
14

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

672 + 12 = 684

That gives us the sum, which is

684
14

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:

684
14
÷ 2 =
342
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 + 6/7

96
2
+
6
7
=
342
7
© 2014 Randy Tayler