FINDING THE COMMON DENOMINATOR

To find the least common denominator To add fractions with unlike denominators, first the fractions must be rewritten as equivalent fractions with a common denominator. The common denominator is found by identifying the least common multiple of the denominators of the fractions. The following is a step-by-step explanation of how to do this.

Step 1: Create a multiples table for the denominators. In the exercise, the denominators for the fractions are 2 and 3. In order to find the lowest common denominator for the two fractions, the least common multiple of the two numbers must be found. 2x1=23x1=3 2 x 2 = 4 3 x 2 = 6 (lowest) 2 x 3 = 6 (lowest) 3 x 3 = 9 2 x 4 = 8 3 x 4 = 12 The least common multiple for 2 and 3 is 6. Step 2: Rewrite the original fractions as equivalent fractions with a common denominator. To rewrite 1/2 as an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6, begin by placing the 6 in the denominator slot of the equivalent fraction. Then, using the multiples table, identify what number, when multiplied by 2, gives an answer of 6. In this case, 2 x 3 = 6; therefore, the number is 3. To complete the equivalent fraction, multiply the 3 by the numerator of the original fraction ( 1/2 ). Therefore, the equivalent fraction of = 3/6 Repeat the process to obtain the equivalent fraction for 1/3 Step 3: Now add the numerators of the equivalent fractions and retain the common denominator.