Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Front

What does the denominator of a fraction represent?

Back

The denominator indicates how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

Front

What does the numerator of a fraction represent?

Back

The numerator shows how many parts of the whole are being considered.

Front

What is an unlike denominator?

Back

Unlike denominators are denominators that are not the same in two or more fractions.

Front

How do you find a common denominator for fractions?

Back

To find a common denominator, identify the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators.

Front

What is the least common multiple (LCM)?

Back

The LCM of two or more numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of each of the numbers.

Front

What is the first step in adding fractions with unlike denominators?

Back

The first step is to find a common denominator for the fractions.

Front

Back

A good common denominator is 18.

Front

How do you convert fractions to have a common denominator?

Back

Multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the necessary factor to reach the common denominator.

Front

What is the process to add fractions once they have a common denominator?

Back

Add the numerators together and keep the common denominator.