How do you simplify #\frac { 1} { a } - \frac { 1} { 4a } - \frac { 1} { 2a } - \frac { 1} { 3a }#?

1 Answer
Jim G.
Nov 18, 2017

#-1/(12a)#

Explanation:

#"before we can subtract the fractions we require them"#
#"to have a "color(blue)"common denominator"#

#"the "color(blue)"lowest common multiple of "2,3" and "4 " is "12#

#rArr"the common denominator is "12a#

#1/axx12/12-1/(4a)xx3/3-1/(2a)xx6/6-1/(3a)xx4/4#

#=12/(12a)-3/(12a)-6/(12a)-4/(12a)larrcolor(blue)"common denominator"#

#"subtract the numerators leaving the denominator"#

#=(12-3-6-4)/(12a)#

#=-1/(12a)#

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