math help

What is 9/16 + 6/8?

What is 9/16 + 6/8?

Here's how we add

9
16
+
6
8

Step 1

Now we need to make our denominators match.

16 goes into 8 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 6 by 2, and get 12, then we multiply 8 by 2 and get 16.

6/8 times 2

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

9
16
+
12
16

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

9 + 12 = 21

That gives us the sum, which is

21
16

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

No good. 17 is larger than 16. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 9/16 + 6/8

9
16
+
6
8
=
21
16
© 2014 Randy Tayler