Solve the following exercise:
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Solve the following exercise:
Let's try to find the lowest common denominator between 5 and 3
To find the lowest common denominator, we need to find a number that is divisible by both 5 and 3
In this case, the common denominator is 15
Now we'll multiply each fraction by the appropriate number to reach the denominator 15
We'll multiply the first fraction by 3
We'll multiply the second fraction by 5
Now we'll combine and get:
You have a pair of denominators, what is their least common multiple?
\( \boxed 2~~~\boxed5 \)
Because fractions represent parts of different wholes! means 1 part of 5, while means 1 part of 3. You need the same denominator to add them properly.
Since 5 and 3 are both prime numbers, their LCD is simply . For other numbers, list multiples of each until you find the smallest common one.
Check if 8 and 15 share any common factors. Since 8 = 2³ and 15 = 3×5 share no common factors, is already in simplest form!
Remember: multiply both numerator and denominator by the same number! For , multiply by to get . This keeps the fraction's value unchanged.
Yes, but using the LCD (15) keeps numbers smaller and easier to work with. Using 30 or 45 would work but create unnecessarily large fractions that you'd need to simplify later.
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