Question

The denominators of two fractions are 5 and 10.

Student A finds the lowest common denominator by multiplying the denominator
together, so 5×10=50.
Student B lists the multiples of 5 and 10 and chooses the smallest multiple that
appears on both lists. What statement is true about the students?

Answer 1

The correct statement should be "Only student B is correct."

What error was made by the student A?

Student A has found a common denominator by simply multiplying the two denominators together. This method always works to find a common denominator, but the result may not be the lowest common denominator (LCD).

The LCD is the smallest number that both denominators can divide into without a remainder.

Student B is using a method that involves listing the multiples of each denominator and finding the smallest multiple that is common to both lists.

This method ensures that the common denominator found is indeed the lowest common denominator.

the lowest common demonimator between 5 and 10 is 5