What is the first step to adding multiple fractions (3) with differenct denominators?
Find a common denominator, then multiply each fraction to reach that common denominator.
To add multiple fractions with different denominators, the first step is to find a common denominator. A common denominator is a number that is divisible by all the denominators of the given fractions. Here's how you can find the common denominator:
1. Identify the denominators of the fractions you want to add. Let's say we have three fractions: 1/2, 3/4, and 5/8. The denominators are 2, 4, and 8 respectively.
2. Determine the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. The LCM is the smallest number that is divisible by all the denominators. To find the LCM, you can use various methods such as listing the multiples or prime factorization.
3. Once you have the LCM, you now have a common denominator. For example, the LCM of 2, 4, and 8 is 8. So, you would rewrite each fraction with the common denominator of 8:
1/2 = 4/8
3/4 = 6/8
5/8 (already in terms of the common denominator)
4. Now that all the fractions have the same denominator, you can add the numerators together while keeping the denominator the same:
4/8 + 6/8 + 5/8 = (4 + 6 + 5)/8 = 15/8
Therefore, the sum of the given fractions 1/2, 3/4, and 5/8 is 15/8.