add with unlike denominators

• When adding fractions with unlike denominators, we need to find a common denominator
• Steps to add fractions with unlike denominators

  1. Find common denominator

  2. Rename fractions with common denominator

  3. Add numerators

  4. Simplify if possible
• Common denominator

  The bottom numbers (denominators) need to be the same in order to add fractions
• Least common multiple (LCM)


  The smallest number that is a multiple of both denominators
• The LCM is used as the common denominator when adding fractions with unlike denominators
• Simplifying fractions involves finding the greatest common factor between the numerator and denominator