For many students, the moment they see a fraction in an algebra problem, a wall of fear goes up. It's time to tear down that wall.

The fear comes from a weak foundation. The only way past it is to go back and achieve 100% mastery of fraction arithmetic.

The Ultimate Weapon: The LCD (Least Common Denominator). This is the key to everything.

If you have an equation full of fractions, you can often destroy them all in one move.

Simply multiply the *entire equation* (both sides) by the LCD. The denominators will all cancel out, leaving you with a simple, fraction-free equation.

This one trick can transform the most terrifying problems into manageable ones.

When simplifying complex fractions, you use the same trick. Multiply the giant fraction by a clever form of 1 (LCD/LCD).

You must also be flawless at finding a common denominator for adding/subtracting and at the 'keep, change, flip' rule for division.

Spend one day on a site like Khan Academy mastering these core fraction skills until they are second nature.

The fear is not of the fractions themselves; it's of your own lack of confidence in your skills. Go build that confidence.