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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
In general, you can find the LCD of a group of fractions by finding the prime
factorizations of each of the denominators and taking the
highest exponent of each factor.
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
Steps to making rational expressions speak the same language:
1) Find the prime factorization of each denominator (this includes the GCF).
2) Take all of the factors with the highest exponents and make a new denominator.
3) To make the fractions speak the same language,
multiply top and bottom by what's missing from each denominator.
4) Add and subtract like normal.
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
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Since there's only one 3 in the first denominator, we must
multiply top and bottom of the first fraction by 3.
Since there's no 2 in the second denominator, we must
multiply top and bottom of the second fraction by 2.
Steps:
1) Find the prime factorization of each denominator (this includes the GCF).
I write these factorizations under the original fractions so I can easily see what's missing.
2) Take all of the factors with the highest exponents and make a new denominator.
3) To make the fractions speak the same language,
multiply top and bottom by what's missing from each denominator.
4) Add and subtract like normal.
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010
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You can multiply out the denominator if you like.
Steps
Early finishers:
Remember to factor and
simplify when you're finished.
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41 Finding the LCD April 01, 2010