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When you have fractions with unlike denominators, it is necessary to find a common denominator before you add or subtract them. The process is the same as finding an LCM, but since the numbers are denominators, we call it the least common denominator.

Example: 1/3 + 1/4

The LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.

1/3 = 4/12

1/4 = 3/12

1/3 + 1/4 = 7/12

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Why is it important to find the least common multiple?

If you are adding fractions, finding the least common multiple makes the arithmetic easier. For instance if you add 3/4, 5/6 and 1/12 the LCM is 12. In the worst case, you might multiply 4x6x12 to get 288, and have to change each fraction to 288ths!


What are the differentiate of GCF LCM and LCD?

The greatest common factor, or GCF, is the largest number that can divide evenly with no remainder into all the members of a given set of numbers. The least common multiple, or LCM, is the smallest number that all the members of a given set of numbers can divide into evenly with no remainder. The lowest common denominator, or LCD, is essentially the same thing as the LCM except the numbers being compared are the bottom parts of fractions.


What is the least common multiple of 2 third?

The LCM refers to whole numbers, not fractions.


How can the greatest common factor and least common multiple help you work with fractions?

Finding the GCF of the numerator and the denominator of a fraction and dividing them both by it will give you the simplest form of that fraction. Finding the LCM of unlike denominators and converting them to it will make it possible to add and subtract unlike fractions.


When is it useful to find the LCM or GCF of two numbers to solve a problem?

When adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators and when reducing fractions to their lowest termsWhen adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators their lowest common multiple is needed and when reducing fractions to their lowest terms their greatest common factor is needed.

Related Questions

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.


What is the least common denominator for the fractions 5656 and 3838?

There doesn't appear to be any fractions there but to find the LCD of fractions is done in the same way as finding the lowest common multiple of numbers.


When adding or subtracting two fractions with denominators that are not equal what is the first step you take?

When adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators, the first step is to find a common denominator. This involves finding the least common multiple (LCM) of the two denominators. Once you have a common denominator, you can then add or subtract the numerators of the fractions accordingly.


How do you add rational numbers?

By finding their common denominator & adding the top numbers of-the fractions. : )


What is the upside down birthday cake method in math?

It is a method of finding the LCM (Least Common Multiple) of 2 or more numbers. Suitably used for finding the least common denominator when adding/subtracting fractions.


How do you subtract fractions with different denominators?

By finding their lowest common denominator by means of their lowest common multiple


Why is finding the least common multiple important?

It will help when you are trying to add and subtract fractions.


Why is it important to find the least common multiple?

If you are adding fractions, finding the least common multiple makes the arithmetic easier. For instance if you add 3/4, 5/6 and 1/12 the LCM is 12. In the worst case, you might multiply 4x6x12 to get 288, and have to change each fraction to 288ths!


What are the steps in finding the least common multiple of two numbers?

to find the least common multiple of two numbers you must list the factors then you can find out their least common multiple of the two numbers


How does finding the least common multiple help you add fractions?

Because when adding or subtracting fractions the denominators must have the same values


What is the definition forEquivalent fractions?

The least number that is a common multiple of two or more numbers


What is the least common multiple of 2 third?

The LCM refers to whole numbers, not fractions.