SOLUTION: When adding or subtracting fractions, how do you find equivalent fractions once the Least common denominator is know?

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: When adding or subtracting fractions, how do you find equivalent fractions once the Least common denominator is know?      Log On


   

Question 482117: When adding or subtracting fractions, how do you find equivalent fractions once the Least common denominator is know?
Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You want to scale the numerator by the same amount that you scaled the denominator to produce an equivalent fraction. For example, if you want to do 3/4 + 1/6, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12, and 3/4 = ?/12. Either by "scaling" or cross-multiplying we get ? = 9. Similarly, 1/6 = 2/12, and 3/4 + 1/6 = 9/12 + 2/12 = 11/12.