What is 1/6 + 2/5?
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Here's how to 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 5, and get 5, then we multiply 6 by 5 and get 30. Do the same for the second term. We multiply 2 by 6, and get 12, then multiply 6 by 5 and get 30. The problem now has new fractions to add:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 5 + 12 = 17 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... No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3... 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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13... No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17... No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19... No good. 19 is larger than 17. So we're done reducing. And we're done! Here's the final answer to 1/6 + 2/5
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