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Math: Basic Tutorials : Simplifying Fractions
Simplifying Fractions
A fraction is considered simplified if there are no common factors, other than 1, in the numerator and the denominator. This means that these numbers cannot be divided by the same number, so the fraction cannot be displayed using lower numbers. This section explains simplified fractions and shows you how to simplify fractions yourself.
Examples & Activity
Examples
Click on the titles below to view each example.
Simplify 32 over 56.
Line 1: Notice that the greatest common factor of the numerator of 32 and denominator of 56 is 8.
Line 2: Rewrite the numerator and denominator showing the common factor of 8 so the fraction is 4 times 8 over 7 times 8.
Line 3: Remove the common factor of 8 in both the numerator and the denominator.
Line 4: Simply the fraction to 4 over 7.
Simplify 5xy over 15x
Line 1: Notice that the greatest common factors of the numerator and the denominator is 5x.
Line 2: Rewrite the numerator and denominator showing the common factor of 5x so the fraction is 5x times y over 3 times 5x.
Line 3: Remove the common factor of 5x in both the numerator and the denominator.
Line 4: Simply the fraction to y over 3.
Summary and Worksheet
- Summary: Simplifying Fractions - PDF - Opens in a new windowThis document contains a short (1 – 2 page) summary of this topic as well as detailed examples to illustrate key concepts. Use this summary to review this topic.
- Worksheet: Simplifying Fractions - PDF - Opens in a new windowThis document contains practice questions on this topic. Use the worksheet to test your knowledge and practice the skills learned in this module. The answers to the practice questions are provided at the end.
Attribution
Examples Source: "Prealgebra - opens in a new window" by Lynn Marecek & Mary Anne Anthony-Smith is licensed under CC BY 4.0 - opens in a new window / A derivative from the original work - opens in a new window