Question

Explain , equivalent fractions, Least common denominator

Answer 1

Equivalent fractions are those fractions that when simplified, are the same.  They reduce to the same fraction in their simplest form.

For example,  12/15 and 24 /30  are equivalent fractions.  They both reduce to 3/5 in their simplest form.

Least common denominator: it is the lowest number you can use in the denominator to create a set of equivalent fractions that all have the same denominator.  

For example, if you have 3/5 + 1/4 and want to add them, you need to get a common denominator

3/5 = 6/10 = 9/15=12/20

1/4 =2/8=3/12 =4/16=5/20

We can use equivalent fractions to help us find the common denominator of 20

replace 3/5 with 12/20 and 1/4 with 5/20  

3/5 + 1/4 = 12/20 + 5/20 = 17/20