Least Common Multiple (LCM)

Used to find the Least Common Denominator (LCD)

Example: Find the LCM of 30 and 45

Note: There are four common methods; DO NOT mix the steps of the methods!
Method 1
Remember that multiples are equal to or larger than the given number.
30, 60, 90, 120, … List the multiples of each of the given numbers, in
45, 90, 135, … ascending order.

LCM = 90 The LCM is the first multiple common to both lists.

Method 2
45, 90, 135, … List the multiples of the larger number.

45 ÷ 30 remainder Divide each in turn by the smaller.

90 ÷ 30 no remainder The LCM is the multiple that the smaller number

LCM = 90 divides without leaving a remainder.

Method 3
30 ÷ 5 = 6 ; 45 ÷ 5 = 9 Divide both numbers by any common factor, (5 then
6÷3 = 2; 9÷3 = 3 3). Continue until there are no more common
factors.
Note: 2 and 3, the results of the last division have no common
factors.
LCM = 5 × 3 × 2 × 3 The LCM equals the product of the factors, (5 and
= 90 3) and the remaining quotients, (2 and 3).

Method 4
30 45
5x6 5x9 Find the prime factors of each the given numbers.
5x2x3 5x3x3

30 = 5 × 2 × 3 Write each number as a product of primes using

45 = 5 × 3 × 3 Or 45 = 5 × 3
2
exponents, if required.

LCM = 2 × 32 × 5 LCM equals the product of all the factors to the

= 90 highest power.

10
In each exercise, find the LCM of the given numbers.

1) 4 and 18 7) 50 and 75

2) 16 and 40 8) 24 and 30

3) 20 and 28 9) 36 and 45

4) 5 and 8 10) 8 and 20

5) 12 and 18 11) 16 and 20

12) 28, 35, and 21

6) 12 and 16

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 Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
with the Same Denominator
To add or subtract fractions, the denominators MUST be the same.
Example 1:
3 1
− =?
5 5
3 1 3 −1
− =
5 5 5 Because both fractions have the same denominator,
you may subtract the numerators and keep the
2 denominator.
=
5
Example 2:
5 7
+ =?
9 9
5 7 5+7 Because both fractions have the same denominator,
+ = you may add the numerators and keep the
9 9 9
denominator.
12
=
9
3 Always change improper fractions to a mixed
=1 number.
9
1
=1 Reduce, when possible.
3

Add or Subtract as indicated.

4 3 40 3 2 4 6
1. + 4. − 7. + −
8 8 37 37 3 3 3

2.
7 1
− 5. 10 + 4 8.
7 5 1
− +
10 10 13 13 6 6 6

7 9 4 9 11 17 7 9
3. + + 6. + + 9. +
48 48 48 17 17 17 13 13
12
 Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
with Different Denominators
Remember: In order to add or subtract fractions, the denominators MUST be the same.

Example:
2 3
+ =?
3 8
LCM = 24 Find the LCM
2 8 16 Write the problem vertically.
× =
3 8 24
3 3 9 Find the equivalent fractions with the LCM as a
+ × =
8 3 24 denominator.
25
24
Add the fractions with the same denominator.

25 1 Remember to write as a mixed number and reduce when

=1
24 24 possible!

Add or Subtract:
7 3 15 10 11 23
1) 8 + 4 5) 24 - 27 9) 4 + 18

7 3 7 5 29 9
2) 8 - 4 6) 12 + 16 10) 8 + 7

11 17 16 5 13 5
3) 12 + 18 7) 27 - 24 11) 235 - 1 14

3 2 1 3 2 1 2
4) 7 + 5 8) 14 + 8 12) 3 + 21 - 7

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 Subtraction of Fractions with Borrowing
Example 1: Example 2:
1 1 5
7 −1 = ? 5 −2 =?
3 3 6
Note: There are two common methods; DO NOT mix the steps of the methods!

Method 1 Example 1 Subtraction with Borrowing

3 Write problem vertically

7 =6
3 Cannot subtract fraction from whole without finding
1 1 common denominator.
- 1 = 1
3 3 LCD ⎛ 3⎞
Borrow one whole from 7 and express as . ⎜1 = ⎟
2 LCD ⎝ 3⎠
5
3 Subtract numerators and whole numbers.
Example 2
1 2 8 Write problem vertically and find LCD
5 =5 =4
3 6 6 Cannot subtract 5 from 2.
5 5 5 ⎛ 6⎞ ⎛ 2 6+ 2⎞
- 2 =2 = 2 Borrow one whole from 5, ⎜ 4 ⎟ and add ⎜ 5 = 4 ⎟.
6 6 6 ⎝ 6⎠ ⎝ 6 6 ⎠
3 1
2 =2 Subtract numerators and whole numbers; reduce as
6 2 needed.
Method 2 Example 1: Subtraction Using Improper Fractions
21 Write the problem vertically.
7 =
3
1 4 Convert the whole numbers and mixed numbers to
- 1 =
3 3 improper fractions using the LCD.
17 2
=5
3 3 ⎛ 21 − 4 ⎞
Subtract ⎜ ⎟ and convert improper fraction to
⎝ 3 ⎠
mixed number.
Example 2:
Write problem vertically and find the LCD.
1 2 32
5 =5 =
3 6 6
5 5 17 Change the mixed numbers to improper fractions.
- 2 =2 =
6 6 6
15 3 Subtract the numerators.
=2
6 2 Convert to a mixed number.
3 1
2 =2 Reduce.
2 2

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Subtract:
1 1 3 5
1) 5 - 23 5) 18 - 4 9) 17 - 4 9

1 5 15 5 3
2) 7 - 16 6) 3 12 - 116 10) 5 18 - 1 4

5 4 2 3
3) 10 - 4 6 7) 8 - 65 11) 57 - 38

5 7 3 5 7 7
4) 3 8 - 28 8) 48 - 36 12) 18 - 1 16 - 12

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 Multiplication of Fractions
Example:
3 5
×3
10 6
Note: LCD is not needed to multiply fractions.

5 (6 × 3) + 5 Change mixed numbers to improper fractions

3 =
6 6
3 23 1 × 23 Before multiplying, reduce by dividing any numerator
× = with any denominator with a common factor. (3 and 6
10 6 10 × 2 have a common factor of 3)
1 × 23 23
= Multiply numerators and denominators
10 × 2 20
23 3
=1 Convert improper fractions to mixed numbers.
20 20
Multiply:
1 2 10 7 7 4
1) 4 × 5) ×1 9) 9 ×
2 3 11 15 8 5

1 1 3 9 1
2) 3 ×1 6) 4 × 15 10) 7 ×1
5 4 5 10 4

1 3 2 3 4
3) 6×1 7) 3 ×2 11) 18 × 1 ×
9 8 9 7 15

1 1 3 1 5 3
4) 2 ×1 8) 34 × 2 12) 3 ×1 ×
6 2 17 5 6 8

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 Division of Fractions
Example:
3
3 3 2
2 ÷2 OR 4
4 8 2
3
8
Note: One fraction divided by another may be expressed in either way shown above. Also, LCD is not
needed to divide fractions.
3 11 3 19
2 = and 2 = Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions
4 4 8 8

Invert the divisor ⎛⎜ ⎞⎟ . (Turn the fraction after the

19
11 19 11 8
÷ = × ⎝8⎠
4 8 4 19 division sign upside down)

11 × 8 11 × 2 Reduce if possible. (4 and 8 have a common factor)

=
4 × 19 1 × 19

11 × 2 22
= Multiply numerators and denominators
1 × 19 19

22 3
=1 Convert to a mixed number and reduce if needed.
19 19

Divide these fractions. Reduce to lowest terms!

5 1 1 1 5
1) 6 ÷ 2 7) 3 7 ÷ 2 14 =
4) 2=
1
3
5
28
8) 7
3 3
2) ÷ = 1
18
4 7 5) 2 ÷ 6=

1 1 3
2 6) 2 4 ÷ 3 = 9) 4 2 ÷ 1 4 =
3) 3 ÷ 1 5 =

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 Some Fraction Word Problems
Example 1:
3 7
One day Ashley biked of a mile before lunch and of a mile after lunch. How far
4 8
did she cycle that day?
Note: this problem is asking you to add the distances traveled.

3 7 To add fractions, find a LCD (8).

+
4 8
Add the numerators; keep the denominators.
6 7
+
8 8
Convert improper fraction to a mixed number; reduce if
13 5 needed.
=1
8 8
5
Ashley cycled 1 miles that day.
8

Example 2:
1
A tailor needs 3 yards of fabric to make a jacket. How many jackets can he make
4
1
with 19 yards of fabric?
2
Note: this problem is asking you to divide.

1 1
19 ÷ 3
2 4 To divide fractions, convert mixed numbers to improper
fractions.
39 13
÷
2 4 Invert the divisor and reduce if possible, (39 and 13 have a
common factor, as do 2 and 4).
39 4 3 × 2
× =
2 13 1 × 1
Multiply numerators and denominators.
3
=3
1
1
The tailor can make 3 jackets from 19 yards of fabric.
2

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 Solve the following problems.
1 2
1. An empty box weighs 2 pounds. It is then filled with 16 pounds of fruit. What is
4 3
the weight of the box when it is full?

2
2. Yanni is making formula for the baby. Each bottle contains 6 scoops of formula.
5
The formula container holds 320 scoops of formula. How many bottles of formula
can Yanni make?

1 1
3. Miguel bought 2 pounds of hamburger, 1 pounds of sliced turkey, and 2 pounds
4 5
of cheese. What was the total weight of all of his purchases?

1
4. Sheila had 8 yards of fabric. She used 2 yards to make a dress. How much fabric
4
does she have left?

1
5. A father leaves his money to his four children. The first received , the second
3
1 2
received , and the third received . How much did the remaining child receive?
6 5
(Hint: You can think of father’s money as one whole.)

6. Find the total perimeter (sum of the sides) of an equilateral triangle, (triangle with
1
equal sides), if each side measures 2 inches.
4

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