Example

Try It 7.56: Simplifying 14+3812516\frac{\frac{1}{4}+\frac{3}{8}}{\frac{1}{2}-\frac{5}{16}} Using the LCD

To simplify the complex rational expression 14+3812516\frac{\frac{1}{4}+\frac{3}{8}}{\frac{1}{2}-\frac{5}{16}} using the least common denominator (LCD) method:

Step 1. Find the LCD of all inner fractions. The denominators are 44, 88, 22, and 1616. The LCD is 1616.

Step 2. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the LCD, 1616.

1614+1638161216516\frac{16 \cdot \frac{1}{4} + 16 \cdot \frac{3}{8}}{16 \cdot \frac{1}{2} - 16 \cdot \frac{5}{16}}

Step 3. Simplify by distributing and multiplying:

4+2385=4+63\frac{4 + 2 \cdot 3}{8 - 5} = \frac{4 + 6}{3}

Step 4. Combine terms in the numerator and denominator:

103\frac{10}{3}

The simplified expression is 103\frac{10}{3}.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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