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How do you find common denominators with dividing fractions?
When you're dividing fractions ... or multiplying thrm ... they don't need to have the same denominator.
How to change dissimilar fractions to similar fractions?
Note: numerator is the top part of the fraction, denominator is the bottom part. 1) Find a common denominator. It may be the least common denominator, but it need not be; just multiplying the denominators also gives you a common denominator, not necessarily the smallest one. 2) Convert each fraction so that it has this common denominator. This means multiplying numerator and denominator by the same number.
Why do you have to switch the numerator and denominator when dividing fractions?
This is because dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
Why don't you have to find a common denominator when multiplying fractions?
Multiplying fractions is quite different from adding them. You just multiply the numberators and the denominators separately. You can find the common denominator if you like, but in the end (after simplifying), you'll get the same result, and the additional work of finding the common denominator and converting the fractions turns out to be unnecessary. Try it out for some fractions!
Why do you need a common denominator with fractions?
You can add or subtract fractions only if they are "like" fractions, that is, only if they have the same denominator - unless you know your fractions really well.
