To convert unlike fractions into like fractions, you need to find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators and then convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with the LCM as the new denominator.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM): Determine the LCM of all the denominators of the unlike fractions.
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Convert Each Fraction: For each fraction, determine what number the original denominator must be multiplied by to equal the LCM. Then, multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by that number to get an equivalent fraction with the LCM as the new denominator.
Example:
Convert 1/2, 2/3, and 5/6 into like fractions.
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Step 1: Find the LCM of the denominators (2, 3, and 6).
- The LCM of 2, 3, and 6 is 6.
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Step 2: Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6.
- 1/2: To get the denominator to 6, multiply both numerator and denominator by 3: (1 3) / (2 3) = 3/6
- 2/3: To get the denominator to 6, multiply both numerator and denominator by 2: (2 2) / (3 2) = 4/6
- 5/6: This fraction already has a denominator of 6, so it remains 5/6.
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Result: The like fractions are 3/6, 4/6, and 5/6. Now, all the fractions have the same denominator (6), making them like fractions.
The reference video illustrates this process, showing how 1/2 becomes 3/6, 2/3 becomes 4/6, and 5/6 remains 5/6 because it already has the desired denominator. The final set of like fractions is 3/6, 4/6, and 5/6.
