Simplifying Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Front

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

Back

To simplify a fraction means to reduce it to its lowest terms, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The greatest common factor (GCF) is the largest number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder.

Front

How do you find the GCF of two numbers?

Back

To find the GCF, list the factors of each number and identify the largest factor they have in common.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying a fraction?

Back

The first step in simplifying a fraction is to find the GCF of the numerator and denominator.

Front

What is the relationship between the numerator and denominator in a fraction?

Back

The numerator indicates how many parts are taken, while the denominator indicates how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

Front

How do you simplify the fraction 8/12?

Back

To simplify 8/12, find the GCF of 8 and 12, which is 4. Divide both the numerator and denominator by 4 to get 2/3.

Front

What is the simplified form of 15/45?

Back

The GCF of 15 and 45 is 15. Dividing both by 15 gives the simplified fraction 1/3.

Front

What is the simplified form of 50/100?

Back

The GCF of 50 and 100 is 50. Dividing both by 50 gives the simplified fraction 1/2.

Front

What does it mean if a fraction is already in simplest form?

Back

A fraction is in simplest form if the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.