How do you simplify fractions?

πŸ†Practice reduce and expand simple fractions
How do you simplify fractions? Or, how do you reduce fractions?

In most cases, when fractions are introduced to students as a new topic in the classroom, the initial reaction is: "Here's another complex subject we have to deal with." But then, reactions change and fractions are seen as a kind of enjoyable game that is more of a technical challenge. So, what's particularly important about fractions? Understanding their meaning, the division of roles between the numerator and the denominator, and how to reduce them. Is it difficult to reduce fractions? Not really.

So, when will you need to reduce the given fractions?

  • At the time it's required in an exercise/test.
  • In case you want to work with smaller fractions.
new example reduce_fractions

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Test yourself on reduce and expand simple fractions!

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 10:

\( \frac{1}{16}= \)

Practice more now

The main motivation for reducing fractions is primarily to establish more favorable working conditions. The more you can reduce a fraction, the easier it will be for you to work with it and use it as a given. Therefore, you should practice this topic as much as possible and remember: the main arithmetic operation in reducing fractions is division.

It's not difficult, it's actually easy!


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Reducing Fractions: How Is It Done in Practice?

To reduce a fraction, you must divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same number. The big question is: To which number do you reduce the fraction? And the answer is quite simple: the smallest number possible! Sometimes, a fraction won't reduce in just one step (a characteristic of very large fractions), but rather in several different stages until you get to the smallest possible fraction. Here are some examples of what reduced fractions look like:

  • The fraction 410 \frac{4}{10} becomes 25 \frac{2}{5} after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 22.
  • The fraction 525 \frac{5}{25} becomes 15 \frac{1}{5} after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 55.
  • The fraction 324 \frac{3}{24} becomes 18 \frac{1}{8} after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 33.
  • The fraction 30180 \frac{30}{180} becomes 16 \frac{1}{6} after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 3030.

More examples:
How hard is it to reduce fractions? Not hard at all! Keep in mind that, unlike other topics of study which require you to perform different mental processes, here you must stick solely to the technique of division. How do you approach reducing a fraction?

  • Divide the numerator and the denominator by the same number
  • Choose the smallest possible number for reduction

Here are some more examples of how to reduce fractions:

  • 251000 \frac{25}{1000} becomes 140 \frac{1}{40} , after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 2525
  • 618 \frac{6}{18} becomes 13 \frac{1}{3} , after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 66
  • 2060 \frac{20}{60} becomes 13 \frac{1}{3} , after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 2020
  • 832 \frac{8}{32} becomes 14 \frac{1}{4} after dividing the numerator and the denominator by 88

Examples and exercises with solutions for reducing fractions

Exercise #1

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 10:

116= \frac{1}{16}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Multiply the numerator of 116 \frac{1}{16} , which is 1, by the factor of 10.
  • Step 2: Use the same denominator, which remains as 16.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The numerator is 1. Multiplying this by the factor 10 gives us 1Γ—10=10 1 \times 10 = 10 .
Step 2: The denominator remains 16, so the fraction becomes 1016 \frac{10}{16} .

After performing the multiplication, the fraction becomes 1016 \frac{10}{16} . To simplify this solution, we can reduce 1016 \frac{10}{16} by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2. This results in the final reduced fraction 58 \frac{5}{8} . However, our task was to simply multiply and not reduce, so we end with:

The solution to the problem is 10160 \frac{10}{160} .

Answer

10160 \frac{10}{160}

Exercise #2

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 2:

1012= \frac{10}{12}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to increase the fraction 1012 \frac{10}{12} by a factor of 2. This can be accomplished by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 2, to maintain the value relationship while doubling the fraction.

Let's go through the solution step-by-step:

  • Step 1: Identify the original fraction, which is 1012 \frac{10}{12} .
  • Step 2: Multiply the numerator by 2. This results in 10Γ—2=20 10 \times 2 = 20 .
  • Step 3: Multiply the denominator by 2. This results in 12Γ—2=24 12 \times 2 = 24 .
  • Step 4: Construct the new fraction 2024 \frac{20}{24} .

The fraction 2024 \frac{20}{24} is the result of increasing the original fraction by a factor of 2. In this case, this number is confirmed to be the correct answer.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 2024 \frac{20}{24} .

Answer

2024 \frac{20}{24}

Exercise #3

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 3:

610= \frac{6}{10}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the original fraction.
  • Step 2: Multiply the numerator by the factor provided, keeping the denominator the same.
  • Step 3: Compute the computation to give the expanded fraction.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The original fraction given is 610 \frac{6}{10} .
Step 2: Multiply the numerator 6 6 by the factor 3 3 , which yields 6Γ—3=18 6 \times 3 = 18 . The denominator remains 10 10 , forming the new fraction 1810 \frac{18}{10} .
Step 3: To express the fraction with a factor of 3 for both parts, multiply both numerator and denominator by the same 3 3 to illustrate the transformation properly: 1810Γ—3=1830 \frac{18}{10 \times 3} = \frac{18}{30} .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 1830 \frac{18}{30} .

Answer

1830 \frac{18}{30}

Exercise #4

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 5:

310= \frac{3}{10}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of increasing the fraction 310 \frac{3}{10} by a factor of 5, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Multiply the numerator by 5.
    The original numerator is 3, so 3Γ—5=15 3 \times 5 = 15 .
  • Step 2: Multiply the denominator by 5.
    The original denominator is 10, so 10Γ—5=50 10 \times 5 = 50 .
  • Step 3: Write the new fraction.
    The resulting fraction after applying the factor is 1550 \frac{15}{50} .

Thus, when we increase the fraction 310 \frac{3}{10} by a factor of 5, we get 1550 \frac{15}{50} .

Therefore, the correct answer is 1550 \frac{15}{50} .

Answer

1550 \frac{15}{50}

Exercise #5

Enlarge the following fraction by the factor 3:

215= \frac{2}{15}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given fraction 215 \frac{2}{15} .
  • Step 2: Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the factor 3.
  • Step 3: Write the new fraction.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The given fraction is 215 \frac{2}{15} .

Step 2: We need to enlarge this fraction by a factor of 3.
Multiply the numerator: 2Γ—3=6 2 \times 3 = 6 .
Multiply the denominator: 15Γ—3=45 15 \times 3 = 45 .

Step 3: The enlarged fraction is 645 \frac{6}{45} .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 645 \frac{6}{45} .

Answer

645 \frac{6}{45}

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A golden tip for tackling a test question: Start with the easy questions!

What is an easy question? An easy question for you. Naturally, there are subjects where you're stronger and those where you take a bit more time, which is fine. To start your test with a success experience, you should always begin with topics you feel more comfortable with and that give you confidence. So how do you do that?

  • Quickly skim through the exam to become familiar with the types of questions and topics.
  • First, answer the problems that you feel you have total control over.
  • Remember: you can start answering the test on page 44 or page 11; the order of solving doesn’t matter.

So, what do you get from this?

  • You start the exam with a successful and pleasant experience.
  • Your self-confidence rises, stress and tension decrease.
  • You leave plenty of time for tackling more complex questions.
  • You kick off the exam with "safe" points.

3 Myths About Math Class That Need to Be Shattered

Sometimes, what prevents you from achieving the success you desire isn't your knowledge but your mental barriers. Here are 3 different myths about the subject of math that you probably believe as well:

  • "Math is a subject for the wise" - Not true! Math is a subject for students who understand that success is based on perseverance. It's no coincidence that there are students whose average in math is 6060, and after a period of investing in a private tutor, the average has risen to 8585. It's not that they've become wise, but that they’ve chosen to invest the effort. The key to success in the subject is perseverance: preparing assignments, participating and attending classes, and serious studying for exams.
  • "Without math, it's impossible to be successful in life" - Not true! You can also be successful without having a high overall average in math, but it's important to understand: it is a subject that contributes to the development of thinking, order, and the organization of many variables, as well as handling challenges. The stress and apprehension of the subject significantly decrease upon realizing that there is a future even without math. And now, when they are more relaxed and calm, they can also succeed and maximize their abilities.
  • "A private tutor is for students who are struggling" - Not true! A tutor provides you with an hour of weekly reinforcement, allowing you to ask questions, work on assignments together, and reinforce basic concepts on certain topics. Today, you can enjoy a private lesson online without leaving home! What do you need to take a private lesson? A computer and an available internet connection.

Do you know what the answer is?

The Connection Between Homework Preparation and Success in Mathematics

At the end of every math class, your teacher probably also asks you to do your homework and not to give up. Beyond being your duty as a student, it's also aimed at strengthening your understanding and competence in the subjects taught. Simplifying fractions is an example of a problem based on technique, relying solely on a division operation. At first, it might take you a few minutes to simplify a fraction. The more you practice, the more you'll see for yourself how those minutes turn into seconds.


A faster solution to questions gives you an advantage in exams. Why?

  • Take the test without fear of not having enough time to answer all the questions.
  • They have time to retake the entire test before submitting it.

Without doing your homework and practicing the topics taught in class, it's unlikely that you'll be able to reduce the average time it takes to answer a question.


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Online Lesson: Simplifying Fractions Step by Step!

The most significant benefit of an online private math lesson is the tremendous time savings. As a student, you have to juggle multiple tasks at once, without wanting to neglect any subject. More than once, there are students who spend about thirty minutes traveling in each direction within the city to get to their private tutor. What about you? You can save this hour!


An online class is a lesson that takes place right in your room! How does it work?

  • You select a teacher from our group of math tutors.
  • The tutor prepares a lesson plan with the topics you want to learn. For example: reducing fractions.
  • You set the day and time according to your needs.
  • Start learning! During the session, you can ask questions, solve exercises, and even get ahead on the topic before the class.

Do you think you will be able to solve it?

Studying Math with a Tutor, What Does It Bring to You?

  • The ability to bridge gaps throughout the year and not get stressed before the test.
  • A class that focuses only on you! You ask, and the teacher answers.
  • Building self-confidence thanks to success in the subject.

If you're interested in this article, you might also like the following articles:

Division and Fraction Line

Division of Powers with the Same Base

The Distributive Property in Divisions

Division of Integers within Parentheses Involving Multiplication

Division of Integers within Parentheses Involving Division

On Tutorela you'll find a variety of articles with interesting explanations about mathematics


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