math help

What is 21/63 + 6/11?

What is 21/63 + 6/11?

This is how we add

21
63
+
6
11

Step 1

We still have different denominators (bottom numbers), though, so we need to get a common denominator. This will make the bottom numbers match. Multiply the denominators together first. Now, multiply each numerator by the other term's denominator.

Now we multiply 21 by 11, and get 231, then we multiply 63 by 11 and get 693.

21/63 times 11

Now for the second term. You multiply 6 by 63, and get 378, then multiply 63 by 11 and get 693.

6/11 times 63

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

231
693
+
378
693

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

231 + 378 = 609

So what's the answer so far?

609
693

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

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

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 3...

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

609
693
÷ 3 =
203
231

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 5...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 7...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 7? Yes! So we reduce it:

203
231
÷ 7 =
29
33

So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again.

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 11...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 13...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 17...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 19...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 23...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 29...

No good. So next you try the next prime number, which is 31...

No good. 31 is larger than 29. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 21/63 + 6/11

21
63
+
6
11
=
29
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler