Lesson: Simplifying fractions

What are fractions?

fractions represent a part of a whole. They consist of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Simplifying fractions

Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its simplest form, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

Steps to Simplify a Fraction:

1. Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator.
2. Divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCF.

Example:

Let's simplify the fraction $\frac{8}{12}$.

1. Find the GCF of 8 and 12:

   • The factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4, 8.
   • The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.
   • The GCF is 4.

2. Divide both the numerator and the denominator by 4:

   $$\frac{8 \div 4}{12 \div 4} = \frac{2}{3}$$

   Thus, $\frac{8}{12}$ simplifies to $\frac{2}{3}$.

Key Questions:

• What is the GCF and how do we find it?
• Why is it important to simplify fractions?
• Can you simplify the fraction $\frac{15}{25}$?

Practice Problems:

1. Simplify $\frac{10}{15}$.
2. Simplify $\frac{6}{9}$.

Conclusion

Simplifying fractions helps in making calculations easier and understanding the relationship between numbers better. Practice finding GCF and simplifying fractions regularly.