What is 21/63 + 3/12?
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Let's add
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Step 1Can 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 12, and get 252, then we multiply 63 by 12 and get 756. Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 63, and get 189, then multiply 63 by 12 and get 756. We now have a new problem, that looks like this:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 252 + 189 = 441 Answer:
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Step 3Now, 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... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:
Let's try dividing by that again... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:
Let's try dividing by that again... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 7? Yes! So we reduce it:
Let's try dividing by that again... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11... No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing. There you have it! Here's the final answer to 21/63 + 3/12
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