(2)
See if the other denominators can be divided into 16 an even number
of times.
(4 and 8 can both be divided into 16 an even number of times.)
(3)
Change 1/4 to have a denominator of 16 without changing the value of
the fraction.
(a) Multiply the denominator by 4 to make it 16:
1
__
4 x 4 = 16
(b) To avoid changing the value, multiply the numerator by 4:
1 x 4 = _4
4 x 4 16
(4)
Change 3/8 to have the common denominator of 16.
(a) Multiply the denominator 8 by 2 to make it 16.
3
= __
8 x 2 16
(b) Because the value of the fraction is to remain the same, multiply
the numerator by 2.
3 x 2 = _6
8 x 2 16
(5)
Therefore, the fractions 1/4, 3/8, and 5/16, when changed to have a
common denominator, will be 4/16, 6/16, and 5/16, respectively.
e. When the denominators cannot be divided by the same number, find the
smallest denominator into which each of the original denominators will divide evenly. In
many cases, a common denominator can be found by multiplying one denominator by
the other.
For example: Find the common denominator for 3/4 and 2/3.
(1)
Multiply denominators to get a common denominator.
4 x 3 = 12 (Common denominator)
MD0802
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