Simplifying Fractions
Simplifying Fractions
Simplifying Fractions
m A fraction is in its simplest form if the numerator and denominator only have the number 1 as a common factor. Ex: is in its simplest form because the only common factor of 2 and 3 is 1. Ex: is NOT in its simplest form because 4 is a common factor of 4 and 8.
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Part II Write in Simplest Form One way to find the simplest form of a fraction is to divide the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the greatest common factor. Ex: Reduce to its simplest form. Since the GCF is 4, we can divide the numerator and denominator by 4. =
8 1, 2, 4, 8 12 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 Another way to find the simplest form of a fraction is to write each number as a product of its primes. Then you can cross out the common factors. What is left is the reduced fraction. Ex: = = =
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