math help

What is 9/48 + 1/5?

What is 9/48 + 1/5?

Here's how to add

9
48
+
1
5

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 5, and get 45, then we multiply 48 by 5 and get 240.

9/48 times 5

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 48, and get 48, then multiply 48 by 5 and get 240.

1/5 times 48

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

45
240
+
48
240

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

45 + 48 = 93

That gives us the sum, which is

93
240

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

93
240
÷ 3 =
31
80

Let's try dividing by that again...

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 31. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 9/48 + 1/5

9
48
+
1
5
=
31
80
© 2014 Randy Tayler