Question

find the lcd of each setof fractions: 1/2, 1/8, 1/16

Answer 1

Let's see what the smallest number that is divisible by each of the denominators.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 . . .

8, 16, 24 . . .

16, 32 . . .

Which is the smallest number that each denominator goes into?

Answer 2

the smallest number is 2

Answer 3

But 16 doesn't go into 2. And 2 isn't evenly divisible by 8.

When you look for the LCD, you want the smallest number that all denominators will go into.

1/2 = 8/16
1/8 = 2/16
1/16 = 1/16

Answer 4

lcd = lowest common denominator

Maybe you're thinking of lcm -- least common multiple.

http://www.helpwithfractions.com/least-common-denominator.html