Here's how to add
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Step 1Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet. Since 11 is evenly divided by 33, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator. Multiply 5 by 3, and get 15, then we multiply 11 by 3 and get 33. The problem now has new fractions to add:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 21 + 15 = 36 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... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:
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... Nope. Try the next prime number, 13... No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing. Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 21/33 + 5/11
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