FRACTIONS
Review of Introductory Mathematics
Example:
105
64
15
32
1
6
would require the denominator to be equal to 64 x 32 x 6 = 12,288. This kind of number is very
hard to use.
In the earlier example
was shown to equal
1
3
8
6
6
18
24
18
30
18
.
You notice that both 30 and 18 can be divided by 6; if this is done:
30 ÷ 6
18 ÷ 6
5
3
By doing this we arrive at a smaller and more useful number:
takes the place of
.
5
3
30
18
The sum of two or more fractions reduced to its simplest form contains the smallest possible
denominator common to both fractions.
This denominator is called the least common
denominator (LCD).
Example:
1
3
1
6
1
8
Using trial and error we can find that 24 is the LCD or smallest number that 3, 6, and 8 will all
divide into evenly. Therefore, if each fraction is converted into 24ths, the fractions can be added.
1
3
8
8
1
6
4
4
1
8
3
3
8
24
4
24
3
24
15
24
MA-01
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