4.3 Finding the Least Common Denominator What are your objectives for Section 4.3? How can you accomplish each objective? 1 Write a Fraction with a Different Denominator • Understand that this is the opposite process of writing a fraction in lowest terms. • Write the procedure for Writing a Fraction with a Different Denominator in your own words. • Complete the given examples on your own. • Complete You Trys 1 and 2. 2 Rewrite Fractions with the Least Common Denominator • Write the defi nition of the least common denominator (LCD) in your own words. • Complete the given examples on your own. • Complete You Trys 3–5. Read the explanations, follow the examples, take notes, and complete the You Trys. In Section 3.4, we learned how to write fractions in lowest terms. For example, we can write 18 27 in lowest terms by dividing the numerator and denominator by 9. 18 27 18 9 27 9 2 3 In order to add and subtract unlike fractions, we need to know how to rewrite a fraction as an equivalent fraction with a different denominator. This process is the opposite of writing a fraction in lowest terms. 1 Write a Fraction with a Different Denominator Let’s look at the fractions 1 2 and 3 6 in terms of a fi gure and on a number line. 1 2 0 2 6 (or 6 ) 0 3 1 6 4 6 5 6 1 6 3 6 1 2 3 6 and represent and are at the same 1 (or 2 ) 2 6 1 2 : 3 6 : 1 2 the same quantity. location on the number line. The fractions 1 2 and 3 6 are equivalent. We can also show this by writing 3 6 in lowest terms or by beginning with the fraction 1 2 and rewriting it as 3 6 like this: 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 6 www.mhhe.com/messersmith SECTION 4.3 Finding the Least Common Denominator 235
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