Hands Down the Best Fraction Skill Ever!

How to add or subtract fractions without finding the LCD (lowest common denominator).

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TC Math Notes

[danieldennis]

I do believe that figuring the LCD is most important, but turning integer+fraction to just a fraction is a close second.

[batavuskoga]

I always look for a common denominator. That how they thaught me in primary school. And it ALWAYS works. And I won't do it in another way. When the denominators are letters, not numbers, or a combination of both, you can always multiply them.

[jamesharmon]

Finding the LCD is NEVER necessary if you know how to reduce your answer. Just multiply all denominators, and this will be A common denominator. Then convert all fractions to that denominator, then add/subtract to get AN answer. Next, look to see if it can be reduced. An example of this might be an answer of 88/96, but this can be reduced to 11/12.

[timwong]

Just for kicks....decided to do that problem. 3/17 + 1/28 = 101/476