math help

What is 9/60 + 2/8?

What is 9/60 + 2/8?

This is how you add

9
60
+
2
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 60 by 8 and get 480.

9/60 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 2 by 60, and get 120, then multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

2/8 times 60

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

72
480
+
120
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 120 = 192

That gives us the sum, which is

192
480

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:

192
480
÷ 2 =
96
240

Now, try the same number again.

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

96
240
÷ 2 =
48
120

Now, try the same number again.

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

48
120
÷ 2 =
24
60

Now, try the same number again.

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

24
60
÷ 2 =
12
30

Now, try the same number again.

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

12
30
÷ 2 =
6
15

Now, try the same number again.

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

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

6
15
÷ 3 =
2
5

Now, try the same number again.

No good. 3 is larger than 2. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/60 + 2/8

9
60
+
2
8
=
2
5
© 2014 Randy Tayler