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Steps to simplify a fraction
Start with a fraction:
12/18
What can both 12 and 18 be divided by?
What is a factor of both 12 and 18?
1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors. They all can divide evenly into 12 and 18.
You can start with any of the factors,
but if you divide by the greatest common factor-gcf
(the largest number that goes into both numbers),
then simplifying can be done in one step.
12 divided by 6 = 2
18 divided by 6 = 3
Therefore: 12/18 ÷ 6/6 = 2/3
Simplest form: 2/3
Let's try these for extra practice:
25/35
Click here to see answer.
1 and 5 are factors of 25 and 35.
5 is the gcf
Divide both the numerator and denominator by 5
Solution: 5/7
12/20 Click here to see answer.
1, 2, and 4 are factors of 12 and 20.
4 is the gcf
Divide both the numberator and denominator by 4
Solution: 3/5
20/30 Click here to see answer.
1,2,5,and 10 are factors of 20 and 30.
10 is the gcf
Divide both the numerator and denominator by 10
Solution: 2/3
12/25
Click here to see answer.
1 is the only factor that 12 and 25 have in common.
If 1 is the only factor that 2 numbers have in common then the
fraction is already in simpliest form (lowest terms).
Solution: 12/25
Equivalent Fractions
Value of the fractions are the same
Numerator
Top number in a fraction
Denominator
Bottom number in a fraction
Common Denominator
Denominators that are the same number
Uncommon Denominator
Denominators that are not the same number
Simplify
Change fraction to its lowest terms
Greatest Common Factor
The largest number that will divide into 2 or more numbers evenly
Least Common Multiple
The smallest number that 2 or more numbers can be divided into evenly
Convert
To change
Improper Fraction
a fraction where the numerator is greater than the denominator
Proper Fraction
a fraction where the numerator is less than the denominator
Mixed Number
contains an integer, generally a whole number and a fractional part
The Big One
The Big One: a fraction = to one whole, where the numerator and denominator are the same. Ex: 4/4, 5/5, 8/8.