Simplifying Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number). For example, in the fraction 1/2, 1 is the part and 2 is the whole.

Front

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

Back

Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its simplest form, 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. For example, the GCF of 12 and 16 is 4.

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 the denominator.

Front

If you have the fraction 8/12, what is the GCF?

Back

The GCF of 8 and 12 is 4.

Front

How do you simplify the fraction 8/12?

Back

Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF, which is 4. So, 8 ÷ 4 = 2 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3. The simplified fraction is 2/3.

Front

What is an equivalent fraction?

Back

An equivalent fraction is a fraction that represents the same value as another fraction, even though the numerator and denominator are different. For example, 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions.

Front

How can you create an equivalent fraction?

Back

To create an equivalent fraction, multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number.

Front

What is the simplified form of 10/15?

Back

The GCF of 10 and 15 is 5. Simplifying gives 10 ÷ 5 = 2 and 15 ÷ 5 = 3, so the simplified form is 2/3.