What is the easiest way to find a common denominator?

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Multiple Choice

What is the easiest way to find a common denominator?

Explanation:
Finding a common denominator means choosing a number that both denominators divide into. The easiest way is to use the least common multiple of the denominators, because it’s the smallest shared denominator that works for all fractions. For example, with 1/4 and 5/6, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12. Rewrite them as 3/12 and 10/12, then you can add or compare easily. Multiplying all the denominators would also give a common denominator, but it creates much larger numbers and makes the arithmetic harder. Adding denominators or multiplying numerators doesn’t produce a usable common denominator for combining these fractions.

Finding a common denominator means choosing a number that both denominators divide into. The easiest way is to use the least common multiple of the denominators, because it’s the smallest shared denominator that works for all fractions. For example, with 1/4 and 5/6, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12. Rewrite them as 3/12 and 10/12, then you can add or compare easily. Multiplying all the denominators would also give a common denominator, but it creates much larger numbers and makes the arithmetic harder. Adding denominators or multiplying numerators doesn’t produce a usable common denominator for combining these fractions.

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