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 55 by 12, and get 660, then we multiply 55 by 12 and get 660. Now for the second term. You multiply 5 by 55, and get 275, then multiply 55 by 12 and get 660. We now have a new problem, that looks like this:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 660 + 275 = 935 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... Nope. Try the next prime number, 3... Nope. Try the next prime number, 5... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:
Now, try the same number again. Nope. Try the next prime number, 7... Nope. Try the next prime number, 11... Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 11? Yes! So we reduce it:
Now, try the same number again. Nope. Try the next prime number, 13... No good. 13 is larger than 12. So we're done reducing. Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 55/55 + 5/12
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