Question 237592
In order to solve this, you must find the LCD.  Now, there are a few different ways to explain this.  Here is the way I do it.
{{{-(1/6)+(2/3)}}}
Now, bear with me for a second.
- We know that any number multiplied by 1 equals the same number you started with, right? Ex. 3 x 1 = 3  So this would not change our equation.
- We also know that when you divide a number by itself, the result is 1, right?  Ex. 3 / 3 = 1
.
Following this logic, we can multiply any equation by 1 and still not alter the final result.  So, in order to find a common denominator, I'm going to multiply both fractions by a value equal to 1.  Look carefully:
{{{-(1/6)*(3/3)+(2/3)(6/6)}}}
I used the denominator of the second fraction, 3, to multiply the first fraction's numerator and denominator.
For the second fraction, I used the denominator from the first fraction, 6.
This operation will give us a common denominator.
{{{-(3/18)+(12/18)}}}
Now you can combine the fractions since they have common denominators.
{{{(-3+12)/18}}}
{{{9/18}}}
Can you reduce the fraction to a simpler fraction?  Yes.
Since it's the last step, I'll let you do it.
Hint: How many times 9 fits in 18?