LCM, LCD, and Adding Unlike Fractions

Add/Sub UNLIKE Fractions

Strategies to make common denominators

Strategy 1: Does the smaller denominator go evenly into the larger one?

• This method is great as you would only have to change one fraction!

Strategy 2: Multiply denominators by each other

• This method always works, but doesn't always make the smallest denominator (LCD)

• May have to do more reducing with the answer with this strategy

Strategy 3: Find the Least Common Multiple

• Think though or look at multiplication chart to find multiples of each denominator

• Find the smallest multiple that both denominators share