Prealgebra (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321955048
ISBN 13: 978-0-32195-504-3

Chapter 4 - Section 4.4 - Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions, Least Common Denominator, and Equivalent Fractions - Exercise Set - Page 265: 97

Answer

To find the lowest common denominator of two fractions, first find the prime factors of each of the denominators, then take the highest amount of each prime factor and multiply them together.

Work Step by Step

For example, to find the lowest common denominator of $\frac{1}{36}$ and $\frac{1}{40}$ list the prime factorisations of each of the denominators. 36 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 40 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 5 Then take the highest amount of each prime factor and multiply them together. 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5 = 360 The lowest common denominator of $\frac{1}{36}$ and $\frac{1}{40}$ is 360
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