Simplifying Fractions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simplifying is easy!!

 

 

 

                                  All you have to know is the factors of most numbers.

(to help with factoring visit Factor Trees by Gaby!!)

 

 Factors are a quantity that divides into a given number an equal amount of times

without a remainder.

 

 

 

 

 

Some fractions cannot be simplified.

 

For example,  3/4 is a fraction that can't be simplified because

it is already in the simplest form possible.

 

 

A fraction that can be simplified, for example,

is 5/20.

 

This number in simplest form would be 1/4.

 

 

This is because there is a number that goes into both 5 and 20.

That number is 5.  So then you divide both the numerator and the denominator

by 5.  And the answer comes out to be 1/4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another way to solve fractions is to use visuals.

 

One visual is pizza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Let's say that a pizza has sixteen equal slices.

 

If one slice is removed, how much is left?

 

To solve this problem we first have to find out what we started with which would

be 1 or 16/16.

 

Then we have to figure out what was removed, and that is 1/16.

 

Next, we subtract:

 

16/16 - 1/16= 15/16

 

There is 15/16 left, or fifteen slices left.

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed fractions can also be simolified.

It may seem impossible, but you have to change the mixed number into

an impropper fraction first.

 

To do that, you have to multiply the whole number by the denominator,

then add the numerator to the product.

That number replaces the numerator, and the denominator stays the same.

 

That may be confusing so lets use an example.

 

4 5/8 (mixed number) = 37/8 because...

 

you first multiply the 4 and the 8 which equals 32.

Then you add 32 and 5 and that gives you 37.

You keep the denominator the same and you put 37 as the numerator.

Unfortunatly, this fraction cannot be simplified! =[

 

 

 

 

 

That's all you need to know about simplifying fractions!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key:

 

denominator: the bottom half of the fraction

numerator: the top half of the fraction

simplify: to make less complex, complicated

mixed number: a fraction and a whole number

impropper fraction: a fraction that has a larger numerator than denominator

(some may be found in dictionary.com)

 

 

To learn more about fractions, visit Christina's page Fractions!!