What is 4/52 + 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 4 by 12, and get 48, then we multiply 52 by 12 and get 624. Now for the second term. You multiply 3 by 52, and get 156, then multiply 52 by 12 and get 624. We now have a new problem, that looks like this:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 48 + 156 = 204 That gives us the sum, which is
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Step 3Now, do we need to simplify this fraction? First, we attempt to divide it by 2... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:
So far so good... let's try to divide by that number again. Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:
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 3... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:
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... 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. 19 is larger than 17. So we're done reducing. And we're done! Here's the final answer to 4/52 + 3/12
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