Fractions How to Simplify

Fraction - Simulation

Fractions - How it Works - Video

Example 1

Example 1:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 5 and denominator is 15. We need to write the factors of 5 and the factors of 15. There is only one number that is a factor of both 5 and 15 beside the number 1. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number. So 5 divided by 5 is 1 and 15 divided by 5 is 3. The result is 1/3.

Example 2a

Example 2a:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 8 and denominator is 12. We need to write the factors of 8 and the factors of 12. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 8 and 12 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 4. So 8 divided by 4 is 2 and 12 divided by 4 is 3. The result is 2/3.

Example 2b

Example 2b:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 8 and denominator is 12. We need to write the factors of 8 and the factors of 12. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 8 and 12 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Let's see what happens when we don't. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 2. So 8 divided by 2 is 4 and 12 divided by 2 is 6. The result is 4/6. Since both numbers are even, we know that there is a common factor of 2. Now we divide 4 by 2, which is 2, and 6 by 2, which is 3. So the final result is 2/3.

As we can see, it just took a few extra seconds to find the final result. It is not a big deal if you don't find the GCF, there first go around.

Example 3a

Example 3a:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 18 and denominator is 45. We need to write the factors of 18 and the factors of 45. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 18 and 45 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 9. So 18 divided by 9 is 2 and 45 divided by 9 is 5. The result is 2/5.

Example 3b

Example 3b:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 18 and denominator is 45. We need to write the factors of 18 and the factors of 45. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 18 and 45 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Let's see what happens when we don't. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 3. So 18 divided by 3 is 6 and 45 divided by 3 is 15. The result is 6/15. Since both numbers are multiples of 3, we know that there is a common factor of 3. Now we divide 6 by 3, which is 2, and 15 by 3, which is 5. So the final result is 2/5.

As we can see, it just took a few extra seconds to find the final result. It is not a big deal if you don't find the GCF, there first go around.

Example 4a

Example 4a:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 10 and denominator is 30. We need to write the factors of 10 and the factors of 30. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 10 and 30 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 10. So 10 divided by 10 is 1 and 30 divided by 10 is 1. The result is 1/3.

Example 4b

Example 4b:

To simplify fractions, we have to find the any factor that is shared or in common in the numerator and denominator. The GCF (Greatest Common Factor) is the quickest way to do it, but we can always do it another way. In this question, the numerator is 10 and denominator is 30. We need to write the factors of 10 and the factors of 30. There are a few numbers that are factors of both 10 and 30 beside the number 1, but we should pick the GCF. Let's see what happens when we don't. Now we divided the numerator and denominator by the same number, 2. So 10 divided by 2 is 5 and 30 divided by 2 is 15. The result is 5/15. Since both numbers are multiples of 5, we know that there is a common factor of 5. Now we divide 5 by 5, which is 1, and 15 by 5, which is 3. So the final result is 1/3.

As we can see, it just took a few extra seconds to find the final result. It is not a big deal if you don't find the GCF, there first go around.

Live Worksheet

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