Least Common Denominator

Least Common Denominator

The smallest whole number that can be used as a denominator for two or more fractions. The least common denominator is the least common multiple of the original denominators.

Example: What is the least common denominator for

and $The fraction 5/12$ ?

Answer:

can be written or or or $The fraction 12/32$ etc.

$The fraction 5/12$ can be written $The fraction 5/12$ or $The fraction 10/24$ or $The fraction 15/36$ or etc.

This shows that the least common denominator is 24.