Fraction (Part 2)

Lowest common multiple (LCM)

• The smallest multiple that is common to the numbers provided in the question.

Exercise:

1) Find the lowest common multiple of 2 and 3:

a) List the multiples of 2.
b) List the multiples of 3.
c) What are the common multiples of 2 and 3?
d) What is the lowest common multiple of 2 and 3?
2) Find the lowest common multiple of 6 and 10:
a) List the multiples of 6.
b) List the multiples of 10.
c) What are the common multiples of 6 and 10?
d) What is the lowest common multiple of 6 and 10?
3) Find the lowest common multiple of 4 and 5.
4) Find the lowest common multiple of 3 and 5.
5) Find the lowest common multiple of 2, 3, and 4.

Common denominator

• To compare, add, or subtract fractions with different denominators, we can use our knowledge of equivalent
fractions to produce fractions with a common denominator, and then we can compare, add, or subtract the
numerators.
• Use the lowest common multiple of the different denominators as the common denominator.

Exercise:

1)
a) What is the lowest common multiple of 2 and 3?
b) What should be used as the common denominator of and ?
c) Change and into equivalent fractions with a common denominator.
2) Change these fractions to equivalent fractions with a common denominator:
a) ,

b) ,

c) ,

d) ,
Comparison, addition, and subtraction

Exercise:

1) Which fraction is bigger: or ?

2) Calculate:
a) +

b) +

c) −

d) −