math help

What is 21/63 + 9/11?

What is 21/63 + 9/11?

This is how to add

21
63
+
9
11

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

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

21/63 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 9 by 63, and get 567, then multiply 63 by 11 and get 693.

9/11 times 63

So now our fractions look like this:

231
693
+
567
693

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

231 + 567 = 798

So the answer is:

798
693

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing 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:

798
693
÷ 3 =
266
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:

266
231
÷ 7 =
38
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. So next you try the next prime number, which is 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 33. So we're done reducing.

And we're done! Here's the final answer to 21/63 + 9/11

21
63
+
9
11
=
38
33
© 2014 Randy Tayler