math help

What is 9/34 + 4/8?

What is 9/34 + 4/8?

This is how to add

9
34
+
4
8

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 8, and get 72, then we multiply 34 by 8 and get 272.

9/34 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 4 by 34, and get 136, then multiply 34 by 8 and get 272.

4/8 times 34

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

72
272
+
136
272

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 136 = 208

That gives us the sum, which is

208
272

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:

208
272
÷ 2 =
104
136

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

104
136
÷ 2 =
52
68

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

52
68
÷ 2 =
26
34

Now, try the same number again.

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

26
34
÷ 2 =
13
17

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...

No good. 17 is larger than 13. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/34 + 4/8

9
34
+
4
8
=
13
17
© 2014 Randy Tayler