math help

What is 21/11 + 3/4?

What is 21/11 + 3/4?

Here's how we add

21
11
+
3
4

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 21 by 4, and get 84, then we multiply 11 by 4 and get 44.

21/11 times 4

Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 11, and get 33, then multiply 11 by 4 and get 44.

3/4 times 11

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

84
44
+
33
44

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

84 + 33 = 117

That gives us the sum, which is

117
44

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

No good. 47 is larger than 44. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 21/11 + 3/4

21
11
+
3
4
=
117
44
© 2014 Randy Tayler