math help

What is 9/34 + 2/10?

What is 9/34 + 2/10?

This is how to add

9
34
+
2
10

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 9 by 10, and get 90, then we multiply 34 by 10 and get 340.

9/34 times 10

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 34, and get 68, then multiply 34 by 10 and get 340.

2/10 times 34

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

90
340
+
68
340

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

90 + 68 = 158

That gives us the sum, which is

158
340

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:

158
340
÷ 2 =
79
170

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

No good. 83 is larger than 79. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/34 + 2/10

9
34
+
2
10
=
79
170
© 2014 Randy Tayler