Equivalent Fractions by Dividing by a Common Factor

Equivalent Fractions by Dividing by a Common Factor

I can write an equivalent fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by a common factor.

Equivalent fractions

• Fractions that are equal in value when they are simplified

• You can simplify a fraction by dividing the numerator and the denominator by a common factor

• To get an equivalent fraction multiply the numerator and the denominator by the same number

To put a fraction in simplest form, keep dividing until the only common factor is 1.

There is nothing that will go into 3 and 5, so the fraction cannot be divided any more. It is now in simplest form!

Simplest Form

All of these fractions are equivalent, but 1/2 is the one that is in the most simplest form. Fractions in their simplest form are more practical in real life!

Simplest form

You will hear people describe simplest form 3 ways.

1. Simplest form

2. Lowest terms

3. Reduced fractions

All three of these terms mean the exact same thing...a fraction that has the smallest numerator and denominator possible.

Simplest Form Fractions

Simplest form means that the numerator and denominator are as small as possible, yet the value of the fraction is still the same (equal).

Multiple Choice

To put a fraction in simplest form, you will need to do this to the numerator and denominator

• subtract both by same number

• divide both by the same number

• add the same number to both

• multiply both by the same number

Multiple Choice

Put the fraction in simplest form.

• 3/6

• 1/2

• 1/4

• 2/4

Multiple Choice

Which fraction represents the simplest form of: 

 $\frac{4}{14}=\ \frac{?}{?}$  

•  $\frac{2}{7}$  

•  $\frac{2}{8}$  

•  $\frac{4}{7}$  

•  $\frac{2}{14}$  

Multiple Choice

   What is  $\frac{12}{15}$  in simplest form?

•  $\frac{3}{15}$  

•  $\frac{4}{15}$  

•  $\frac{3}{5}$  

•  $\frac{4}{5}$  

Multiple Choice

What is the simplest form of 3/8?

• 3/8

• 6/16

• 1/4

• 1/3

Multiple Choice

Is 4/8 in simplest form?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Put the fraction $\frac{6}{8}$  in simplest form.

• 3/4

• 1/2

• 1/3

• 1/4

Multiple Choice

What is  $\frac{8}{12}$  in simplest form? 

• 1/3

• 3/4

• 2/3

• 1/2

Multiple Choice

What is the simplest form of 2/6?

• 2/6

• 2/3

• 1/3

• 4/12