Behold, the most terrifying monster in all of pre-algebra: the complex fraction. A fraction within a fraction.

But this monster has a simple, single weakness. You will now learn how to slay it forever.

The Secret Weapon: The monster's weakness is multiplication by a clever form of the number 1.

Step 1: Identify the 'mini-denominators.' Find the denominators of the small fractions inside the big one.

Step 2: Find their Least Common Multiple (LCM). This will be the heart of your weapon.

Step 3: Forge your weapon. Create a giant fraction with this LCM on both the top and the bottom (e.g., 12/12).

Step 4: The Slaying. Multiply your complex fraction by this weapon. It's still just multiplying by 1, so it's legal.

The magic happens now. The multiplication will cause all the 'mini-denominators' to cancel out and vanish.

The monster is slain. Your terrifying complex fraction has been transformed into a simple, beautiful fraction.

You now know the secret. You wield the weapon. You will never fear this monster again.