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    Leslie is combining the leftover cookies from the bake sale. One pan had 14 of a dozen left. Another pan had 13 of a dozen left. Just then, a teacher came by and bought a half dozen cookies. How many cookies were left?

    In this concept, you will learn how to evaluate numerical expressions involving fractions with different denominators.

    Evaluating Expressions with Different Denominators

    To evaluate an expression that involves adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, follow the order of operations. Resolve the operations with parenthesis first, and then add or subtract the fractions going from left to right. The process is similar when evaluating an expression with different denominators. Before evaluating the expression, rewrite the fractions with the lowest common denominator.

    Here is an expression of fractions.

    12+1316=_

    The denominators are 2, 3, and 6. Find the lowest common denominator by finding the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 2, 3, and 6. 

    2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, . . . 

    3: 3, 6, 9, 12, . . . 

    6: 6, 12, . . .

    The lowest common multiple for all three denominators is 6. Find the equivalent fractions of 12 and 13 with the denominator 6. The fraction 16 is already in terms of sixths.

    12=3613=26

    Rewrite the expression with the equivalent fractions.

    12+1316=36+2616

    Evaluate the expression in order from left to right. Add or subtract the numerators and write the result over the common denominator.

     

    36+26=5616=46

    Finally, write the fraction in simplest form. The greatest common factor (GCF) of 4 and 6 is 2. Divide the numerator and denominator by 2. 

     

    4÷26÷2=23

    The answer is 23.

    Examples

    Example 1

    Earlier, you were given a problem about Leslie and the cookies.

    Leslie combine one-fourth and one-third of a dozen cookies, and then sold a half dozen cookies to a teacher. Add and subtract the fractions to find out how many cookies were left. 

    First, write an expression to solve the problem.

    14+1312

    Then, rewrite the fractions using the lowest common denominator. The LCD is 12.

    14+1312=312+412612

    Next, add or subtract in order from left to right.

     312+412=712612=112

    There was 112 of a dozen cookies left. A dozen is equal to 12. Therefore, there was 1 cookie left.

    Example 2

    Evaluate the expression: 69+1345. Answer in simplest form.

    First, find the lowest common denominator using the lowest common multiple of 9, 3, and 5. The LCD is 45.

    Then, rewrite the fractions with the common denominator.

     69=304513=154545=3645

    69+1345=3045+15453645

    Next, add or subtract in order from left to right.

    3045+1545=45453645=945

    Finally, simplify the fraction.

    945=15

    The answer is 15.

    Example 3

    Evaluate the expression: 45+21012. Answer in simplest form.

    First, find the LCD of 5, 10, and 2. The LCD is 10. 

    Then, rewrite the fractions with the common denominator.

     45+21012=810+210510

    Next, add or subtract in order from left to right.

    810+210=1010510=510

    Finally, simplify the fraction.

     510=12

    The answer is 12.

    Example 4

    Evaluate the expression: 4812+14. Answer in simplest form.

    First, find the LCD of 8, 2, and 4. The LCD is 8.

    Then, rewrite the fractions with the common denominator.

     4812+14=4848+28

    Next, add or subtract in order from left to right.

     4848=08+28=28

    Finally, simplify the fraction.

    28=14

    The answer is 14.

    Example 5

    Evaluate the expression: 3458+14. Answer in simplest form.

    First, find the LCD of 4, 8, and 4. The LCD is 8.

    Then, rewrite the fractions with the common denominator.

     3458+14=6858+28

    Next, add or subtract in order from left to right.

     6858=18+28=38

    The fraction is in simplest form.

    The answer is 38.

    Review

    Evaluate the following expressions. Answer in simplest form.

    1. 12+13+24
    2. 69+1323
    3. 45+1315
    4. 89+1213
    5. 34+13210
    6. 34+13+12
    7. 15+2527
    8. 56+1312
    9. 89+1329
    10. 811+1323
    11. 67+1227
    12. 49+2923
    13. 1112+11268
    14. 1314+12847
    15. 1718+21859

    Review (Answers) 

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