What is 1/12 + 2/7?
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Let's add
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Step 1Of course, you can't add two fractions if the denominators (bottom numbers) don't match. To get a common denominator, multiply the denominators together. Then we fix the numerators by multiplying each one by their other term's denominator. Now you multiply 1 by 7, and get 7, then we multiply 12 by 7 and get 84. Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 12, and get 24, then multiply 12 by 7 and get 84. The problem now has new fractions to add:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 7 + 24 = 31 The sum we get is
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Step 3The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can. To find out, we try dividing it by 2... Nope. Try the next prime number, 3... 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... No good. 37 is larger than 31. So we're done reducing. Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 1/12 + 2/7
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