Solve the equation: the fraction b + 2 all over 3 minus the fraction b minus 2 all over 7 = 2

Question

liddoislander · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

Is this the equation? $$\frac{ b+2 }{ 3 }-\frac{ b-2 }{ 7 }=2$$

liddoislander · Answer

@nelsonjedi yes

anonymous · Answer

What do you do first when you have two different denominators when adding or subtracting?

liddoislander · Answer

convert unlike fractions @nelsonjedi

anonymous · Answer

yes by finding the least common denominator for each part of the equation. So in our equation what is the least common denominator?

liddoislander · Answer

b+2
----
  3

liddoislander · Answer

@nelsonjedi

anonymous · Answer

The least common denominator is a value that is divisible by every denominator in the equation. We have three denominators (3,7,1)  What number is divisible  by these three numbers?

liddoislander · Answer

im lost @nelsonjedi

anonymous · Answer

Ok..To be able to add or subtract fractions they must have the same denominator.  Thus to be able to add the following I need the denominators to be the same.
1/2 + 1/3 =?

anonymous · Answer

Almost always the easiest way to find a common denominator is to multiply the two denominators together. Thus the least common denominator will be 6. Which is 2 times 3. Do you see this and understand?

liddoislander · Answer

oh I see @nelsonjedi

anonymous · Answer

So what is the common denominator for our problem above?