math help

What is 9/60 + 6/8?

What is 9/60 + 6/8?

This is how to add

9
60
+
6
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 6 by 60, and get 360, then multiply 60 by 8 and get 480.

6/8 times 60

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

72
480
+
360
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

72 + 360 = 432

Answer:

432
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:

432
480
÷ 2 =
216
240

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

216
240
÷ 2 =
108
120

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

108
120
÷ 2 =
54
60

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

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

54
60
÷ 2 =
27
30

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

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

27
30
÷ 3 =
9
10

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. 11 is larger than 9. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 9/60 + 6/8

9
60
+
6
8
=
9
10
© 2014 Randy Tayler