math help

What is 9/48 + 1/9?

What is 9/48 + 1/9?

Here's how we add

9
48
+
1
9

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 9, and get 81, then we multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

9/48 times 9

Now for the second term. You multiply 1 by 48, and get 48, then multiply 48 by 9 and get 432.

1/9 times 48

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

81
432
+
48
432

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

81 + 48 = 129

Answer:

129
432

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

129
432
÷ 3 =
43
144

Now, try the same number again.

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...

No good. 47 is larger than 43. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/48 + 1/9

9
48
+
1
9
=
43
144
© 2014 Randy Tayler