math help

What is 21/33 + 2/11?

What is 21/33 + 2/11?

Here's how we add

21
33
+
2
11

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

33 goes into 11 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 2 by 3, and get 6, then we multiply 11 by 3 and get 33.

2/11 times 3

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

21
33
+
6
33

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

21 + 6 = 27

Answer:

27
33

Step 3

Now, do we need to simplify this fraction?

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

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

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

27
33
÷ 3 =
9
11

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

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

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 21/33 + 2/11

21
33
+
2
11
=
9
11
© 2014 Randy Tayler