Need math problem help!!

[KR]

Hey all! A co-worker of mine is studying for her GREs. She is stuck on a math problem. She has asked over 6 co-workers(including me) and a physician and no one has had any luck with the problem. If anyone could figure it out showing their work, we would be very appreciative.

5∕6 + 3∕2 +2

―――――-----

1/3 + 4/9 + 4

I hope that everyone can follow the way I typed the problem. I am unsure how else to type it, as I don't know how to insert fractions.

The answer is:

39/43

We just need someone to show their work and explain how to get to the answer.

Thanks in advance

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Do you mean five sixths plus three seconds plus two OVER (divided by) one third plus four ninths plus four?

[bandas]

Ok, this is how I would do it.

First worry about the first part of the equation. Take 5/6 and 3/2 and 2 and find the smallest common denominator. Which in this case is 6, this is so the fractions will all have the same bottom number. So the fractions become 5/6, 9/6, and 12/6. Then you add these together by adding the top numbers of the fractions to get 26/6 and then reduce that to get 13/3.

So 5/6 + 3/2 + 2 = 5/6 + 9/6 + 12/6 = 26/6 which you could reduce down to 13/3

Now the first part is done.

Then do the next part of the equation the same way

1/3 + 4/9 + 4 = 3/9 + 4/9 + 36/9 = 43/9

So now you have :

13/3 divided by 43/9

To divide fractions you have to multiply the reciprocal

so take 13/3 * 9/43

and multiply top # by top # and bottom # by bottom #. You will get 117/129 which will reduce down to 39/43 when you find the greatest common factor, which is 3.

Hope I helped some.

[KR]

Fabulous and thanks for the quick reply! Right on.

[Freedom42]

This must be done as two separate problems. First, add the fractions in the numerator:

5/6 + 3/2 + 2/1

Establish the least common denominator (here it is 6) and convert the fractions to that denomination (e.g., 3/2 = 9/6). Now your problem becomes:

5/6 + 9/6 +12/6 = 26/6

Now perform the same operation with the fractions in the denominator:

1/3 + 4/9 +4/1.

The least common denominator is 9, so your problem becomes:

3/9 + 4/9 + 36/9 = 43/9.

Now we have the problem:

26/6 divided by 43/9.

When you divide fractions, you invert the second fraction and multiply. So your problem becomes:

26/6 X 9/43.

The denominator of 6 and the numerator of 9 share a common factor of 3, so you can reduce them by dividing them by 3. Now your problem becomes:

26/2 X 3/43 = 78/36.

Can you simplify your answer? Yes, by dividing each number by two. The simplified fraction is:

39/43.

[KIAN]

5/6 + 3/2 + 2/1 = 5/6 + 9/6 + 12/6 = 26/6

1/3 + 4/9 + 4/1 = 3/9 + 4/9 + 36/9 = 43/9

So now we have 26/6 divided by 43/9. This is solved by inverting the number on the bottom (demoninator) and multiply.

26/6 x 9/43 = 234/258 and reduce to lowest common denominator.

Answer is 39/43.

Hope this helps. :wink2:

[mak0076]

5/6 + 3/2 + 2/1 = 13/3

1/3 + 4/9 + 4/1 = 43/9

=(13/3) / (43/9)

so, 13/3 x 9/43 =39/43