Let's add
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Step 1Now we need to make our denominators match. Since 12 is evenly divided by 48, we can multiply just one term to get a common denominator. Multiply 9 by 4, and get 36, then we multiply 12 by 4 and get 48. The problem now has new fractions to add:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators. 9 + 36 = 45 The sum we get is
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Step 3The last step is to reduce the fraction if we can. 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... No good. 17 is larger than 15. So we're done reducing. There you have it! Here's the final answer to 9/48 + 9/12
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