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When you add fractions that have unlike denominators, the first step is to convert them so they are expressed as fractions using the least common denominator. The result is that the answer will have a different denominator, or it may use one of the original two denominators.


For example if you are adding 1/10 and 3/5, the least common denominator is 10, the problem is rewritten as 1/10 + 6/10 = 7/10


But if you are adding 1/5 and 1/6, the least common denominator is 30 and the problem is rewritten as 6/30 + 5/30 = 11/30

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Q: Why does the fraction that results from adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators have a different denominator?
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Related questions

Why do you have to have a common denominator?

A common denominator is needed when adding or subtracting fractions of different denominators.


How do you minnous fractions?

Subtracting fractions is similar to adding fractions. If the fractions have the same denominator, you subtract the numerators. If the fractions have different denominators, you have to convert to a common denominator first.Subtracting fractions is similar to adding fractions. If the fractions have the same denominator, you subtract the numerators. If the fractions have different denominators, you have to convert to a common denominator first.Subtracting fractions is similar to adding fractions. If the fractions have the same denominator, you subtract the numerators. If the fractions have different denominators, you have to convert to a common denominator first.Subtracting fractions is similar to adding fractions. If the fractions have the same denominator, you subtract the numerators. If the fractions have different denominators, you have to convert to a common denominator first.


What is the process of subtracting fractions?

If the denominators are the same, subtract the numerators. If the denominators are different, convert them to equivalent fractions with a common denominator and subtract the numerators.


When adding or subtracting fractions do you have to have the numerator the same or denominator?

The denominators must be the same, the numerators can be different.


how to rename fractions using LCM?

When adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators their lowest common denominator must be found first by using the LCM of their denominators


What do you notice about the denominator when subtracting like fractions?

By the definition of like fractions, the denominators are the same.


Do you always have to find common denominator when working with fractions?

No. Only if you're adding or subtracting and then only if the denominators are different.


What is an LCD in math?

LCD means lowest common denominator which is needed when adding or subtracting fractions that have different denominators.


What is a quick common denominator?

When you're adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators, if you multiply the denominators that's your Quick Common Denominator. I'ts useful for denominators that don't have a low Least Common Factor.


What information does the least common multiple of two numbers provide in a problem?

When adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators the lowest common denominator is needed and is found by finding the lowest common multiple of the denominators.


Adding and subtracting unlike denominators?

Fractions can only be added or subtracted if the denominators are the same. If the denominators are different, then the fractions need to be made into equivalent fractions with the same denominator. The new denominator can be found simply by multiplying the denominators together, but this can lead to some large fractions with which to work. A better new denominator is the lowest common multiple of (all the) denominators. (Once the new denominator is found, the fractions' new numerators are found by multiplying their current numerator by the new denominator divided by their current denominator to make their equivalent fractions with the new denominator.) Once all the fractions are converted into equivalent fractions with the new denominator then the fractions can be added or subtracted, with the result being simplified (if possible).


Are the steps for like and unlike denominators the same or different?

It depends what you are doing with the fractions. If you are multiplying or dividing fraction, the denominators do not need to be the same and the calculation can be carried out immediately. If you are adding or subtracting fractions, the denominators must be the same; if you have different denominators, the fractions must first be changed into equivalent fractions with the same denominator. When the denominators are the same (or have been made the same as equivalent fractions from being different) the calculation can be carried out.