math help

What is 21/33 + 5/8?

What is 21/33 + 5/8?

Here's how we add

21
33
+
5
8

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 8, and get 168, then we multiply 33 by 8 and get 264.

21/33 times 8

Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 33, and get 165, then multiply 33 by 8 and get 264.

5/8 times 33

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

168
264
+
165
264

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

168 + 165 = 333

Answer:

333
264

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:

333
264
÷ 3 =
111
88

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...

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...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 89...

No good. 89 is larger than 88. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 21/33 + 5/8

21
33
+
5
8
=
111
88
© 2014 Randy Tayler