You cannot.
Every non-zero number is a factor of every fraction and so the idea is meaningless. You could look for the least common factors of the numerators, or the denominators, or the numerator and denominator of a single fraction. However, all of these are pointless since the least common factor in every case will be 1.
Factors and common factors refer to integers, not fractions. The least common factor of any set of positive integers is 1.
The least common denominator is the least common multiple of the denominators of the fractions.
You may have answered your own question. Equivalent fractions have common factors. If they don't have common factors, they aren't equivalent.
To find the least common denominator of a set of unlike fractions, you first need to list the prime factors of each denominator. Then, identify the highest power of each prime factor that appears in any of the denominators. Finally, multiply these highest powers together to find the least common multiple, which will be the least common denominator for the fractions.
It is called simplification [by cancelling common factors].
you have to compare the common fractions
When doing fractions it is the greatest common factor (GCF) and the least common multiple (LCM). You want the GCF when you are reducing fractions to their simplest form. When changing the denominators to a common one, you want the LCM.
Factors are useful when you're trying to reduce fractions. Multiples are useful when you're trying to find a least common denominator.
There is none. A least common denominator is to be found between or among fractions. 3 and 7 are not fractions.
-- Find a common denominator. (It will be a number of which all three denominators are factors. The best choice is their least common multiple.) -- Change the fractions to their equivalents with the common denominator. -- Then add their numerators to get the numerator of their sum.
least common denominator
The Least Common Denominator (or LCD) is the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators of a pair of fractions. I assume the 7 and 21 are the denominators of two fractions you need to add or subtract.LCD(7, 21) = 21.