We say that two or more fractions have a common denominator if their denominators are the same.

Often, we may have two fractions that have different denominators, and we may want to convert them to have a common denominator. In such cases, it is useful to know how to compute the least common denominator, which is the least common multiple of the denominators.

For example, let's find the least common denominator of \dfrac{3}{4} and \dfrac{3}{5}.

The denominators of the given fractions are 4 and 5. To find the least common denominator, we find the least common multiple of 4 and 5.

Let's list the multiples of each number.

  • Multiples of 4\mathbin{:} \quad 4, 8, 12, 16, {\color{blue}20}, \ldots

  • Multiples of 5\mathbin{:} \quad 5, 10, 15, {\color{blue}20}, \ldots

We conclude that the least common multiple of 4 and 5 is {\color{blue}{20}}.

Therefore, the least common denominator of \dfrac{3}{4} and \dfrac{3}{5} is 20.

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Determine the least common denominator of \dfrac{5}{8} and \dfrac{1}{4}.

EXPLANATION

The denominators of the given fractions are 8 and 4. To find the least common denominator, we find the least common multiple of 8 and 4.

Let's list the multiples of each number.

  • Multiples of 8\mathbin{:} \quad {\color{blue}8}, 16, 24, \ldots

  • Multiples of 4\mathbin{:} \quad 4, {\color{blue}8}, 12, \ldots

We conclude that the least common multiple of 8 and 4 is {\color{blue}{8}}.

Therefore, the least common denominator of \dfrac{5}{8} and \dfrac{1}{4} is 8.

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What is the least common denominator of $\dfrac 1 3$ and $\dfrac 5 6?$

a
$5$
b
$3$
c
$6$
d
$15$
e
$10$

What is the least common denominator of $\dfrac 5 {18}$ and $\dfrac 1 6?$

a
$30$
b
$6$
c
$12$
d
$36$
e
$18$

What is the least common denominator of \dfrac{2}{9} and \dfrac{3}{4} ?

EXPLANATION

The denominators of the given fractions are 9 and 4. To find the least common denominator, we find the least common multiple of 9 and 4.

Let's list the multiples of each number.

  • Multiples of 9\mathbin{:} \quad 9, 18, 27, {\color{blue}36}, \ldots

  • Multiples of 4\mathbin{:} \quad 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, {\color{blue}36}, \ldots

We conclude that the least common multiple of 9 and 4 is {\color{blue}{36}}.

Therefore, the least common denominator of \dfrac{2}{9} and \dfrac{3}{4} is 36.

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What is the least common denominator of $\dfrac 3 4$ and $\dfrac 4 5?$

a
$18$
b
$20$
c
$25$
d
$16$
e
$15$

What is the least common denominator of $\dfrac 2 7$ and $\dfrac 4 9?$

a
$54$
b
$63$
c
$49$
d
$45$
e
$56$

Determine the least common denominator of and

EXPLANATION

The denominators of the given fractions are and To find the least common denominator, we find the least common multiple of and

Let's list the multiples of each number.

  • Multiples of

  • Multiples of

We conclude that the least common multiple of and is

Therefore, the least common denominator of and is

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Determine the least common denominator of $\dfrac{7}{10}$ and $\dfrac{1}{4}.$

a
$30$
b
$16$
c
$25$
d
$40$
e
$20$

Determine the least common denominator of $\dfrac{1}{6}$ and $\dfrac{5}{21}.$

a
$40$
b
$48$
c
$63$
d
$52$
e
$42$

Find the least common denominator of \dfrac{9}{16} and \dfrac{3}{24} .

EXPLANATION

The denominators of the given fractions are 16 and 24. To find the least common denominator, we find the least common multiple of 16 and 24.

Let's list the multiples of each number.

  • Multiples of 16\mathbin{:} \quad 16, 32, {\color{blue}48}, \ldots

  • Multiples of 24\mathbin{:} \quad 24, {\color{blue}48}, 72, \ldots

We conclude that the least common multiple of 16 and 24 is {\color{blue}{48}}.

Therefore, the least common denominator of \dfrac{9}{16} and \dfrac{3}{24} is 48.

FLAG

What is the least common denominator of $\dfrac 3 {10}$ and $\dfrac 2 {15}?$

a
$20$
b
$10$
c
$45$
d
$15$
e
$30$

Find the least common denominator of $\dfrac{1}{15}$ and $\dfrac{3}{25}.$

a
$50$
b
$60$
c
$35$
d
$75$
e
$90$
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