5.6.1

Simplifying Fractions Using Equivalents

Test yourself

Simplifying Fractions Using Equivalents

You need to use simplifying fractions in order to make your calculations easier.

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Simplifying fractions

  • You can simplify fractions by dividing the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) by the same amount.
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Common factors

  • You have to find a number that is a factor of both the numerator and the denominator.
    • A factor is a number that will divide another number with no remainder.
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Find the common factors

  • You need to divide the numerator and denominator by a common factor to simplify the fraction.
    • A common factor of 4 and 24 is 2.
    • A common factor of 5 and 15 is 5.
    • A common factor of 8 and 16 is 4.
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Another common factor

  • You now need to work out if there is another common factor between the new numerator and denominator.
    • A common factor of 2 and 12 is 2.
    • There is no common factor of 1 and 6 (except for 1).
    • A common factor of 2 and 4 is 2.
    • There is no common factor of 1 and 2 (except for 1).
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Simplified fractions

  • The final simplified fractions can be seen above.

Jump to other topics

1Year 5 - Number

2Year 5 - Measurement

3Year 5 - Geometry

4Year 5 - Statistics

5Year 6 - Number

6Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

7Year 6 - Algebra

8Year 6 - Measurement

9Year 6 - Statistics

9.1Displaying Data

9.2Averages

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