Here's how you add
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Step 1We 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 40 by 12, and get 480, then we multiply 41 by 12 and get 492. Do the same for the second term. We multiply 3 by 41, and get 123, then multiply 41 by 12 and get 492. So now our fractions look like this:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 480 + 123 = 603 So the answer is:
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Step 3Last 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... 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... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 97... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 101... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 103... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 107... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 109... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 113... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 127... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 131... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 137... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 139... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 149... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 151... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 157... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 163... Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 167... No good. 167 is larger than 164. So we're done reducing. There you have it! Here's the final answer to 40/41 + 3/12
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