How do you simplify fractions? - Examples, Exercises and Solutions

Question Types:
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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

Detailed explanation

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

  1. A fraction as a divisor
  2. Numerator
  3. Denominator
  4. Fractions
  5. Part of a quantity
  6. Placing Fractions on the Number Line
  7. Common denominator

Practice How do you simplify fractions?

Question 1

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 4:

\( \frac{4}{8}= \)

Question 2

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 1:

\( \frac{3}{10}= \)

Question 3

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{2}{10}= \)

Question 4

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{4}{16}= \)

Question 5

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 3:

\( \frac{3}{6}= \)

Examples with solutions for How do you simplify fractions?

Exercise #1

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 4:

48= \frac{4}{8}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 4 and the denominator by 4:

4:48:4=12 \frac{4:4}{8:4}=\frac{1}{2}

Answer

12 \frac{1}{2}

Exercise #2

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 1:

310= \frac{3}{10}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will reduce in the following way, divide the numerator by 1 and the denominator by 1:

3:110:1=310 \frac{3:1}{10:1}=\frac{3}{10}

Answer

310 \frac{3}{10}

Exercise #3

Simplify the following fraction:

210= \frac{2}{10}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 2 and the denominator by 2:

2:210:2=15 \frac{2:2}{10:2}=\frac{1}{5}

Answer

15 \frac{1}{5}

Exercise #4

Simplify the following fraction:

416= \frac{4}{16}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will reduce in the following way, divide the numerator by 4 and the denominator by 4:

4:416:4=14 \frac{4:4}{16:4}=\frac{1}{4}

Answer

14 \frac{1}{4}

Exercise #5

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 3:

36= \frac{3}{6}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will reduce as follows, divide the numerator by 3 and the denominator by 3:

3:36:3=12 \frac{3:3}{6:3}=\frac{1}{2}

Answer

12 \frac{1}{2}

Question 1

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{12}{8}= \)

Question 2

Simplify the following fraction:

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

Question 3

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 5:

\( \frac{15}{10}= \)

Question 4

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{12}{4}= \)

Question 5

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{16}{8}= \)

Exercise #6

Simplify the following fraction:

128= \frac{12}{8}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 2 and the denominator by 2:

12:28:2=64 \frac{12:2}{8:2}=\frac{6}{4}

Answer

64 \frac{6}{4}

Exercise #7

Simplify the following fraction:

11= \frac{1}{1}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's reduce as follows, we'll divide both the numerator and denominator by 1:

1:11:1=11 \frac{1:1}{1:1}=\frac{1}{1}

Answer

11 \frac{1}{1}

Exercise #8

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 5:

1510= \frac{15}{10}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's reduce as follows, we'll divide both the numerator and denominator by 5:

15:510:5=32 \frac{15:5}{10:5}=\frac{3}{2}

Answer

32 \frac{3}{2}

Exercise #9

Simplify the following fraction:

124= \frac{12}{4}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's reduce as follows, divide the numerator by 4 and the denominator by 4:

12:44:4=31 \frac{12:4}{4:4}=\frac{3}{1}

Answer

31 \frac{3}{1}

Exercise #10

Simplify the following fraction:

168= \frac{16}{8}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 2 and the denominator by 2:

16:28:2=84 \frac{16:2}{8:2}=\frac{8}{4}

Answer

84 \frac{8}{4}

Question 1

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 9:

\( \frac{12}{18}= \)

Question 2

Simplify the following fraction:

\( \frac{6}{24}= \)

Question 3

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 12:

\( \frac{6}{24}= \)

Question 4

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 10:

\( \frac{5}{50}= \)

Question 5

Simplify the following fraction and specify the simplification factor:

\( \frac{16}{36}= \)

Exercise #11

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 9:

1218= \frac{12}{18}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 18, gives us a result of 9

Therefore:

12:218:2=69 \frac{12:2}{18:2}=\frac{6}{9}

Answer

69 \frac{6}{9}

Exercise #12

Simplify the following fraction:

624= \frac{6}{24}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 24, gives us a result of 4

Therefore:

6:624:6=14 \frac{6:6}{24:6}=\frac{1}{4}

Answer

14 \frac{1}{4}

Exercise #13

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 12:

624= \frac{6}{24}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 24, gives us a result of 12

Therefore:

6:224:2=312 \frac{6:2}{24:2}=\frac{3}{12}

Answer

312 \frac{3}{12}

Exercise #14

Simplify the given fraction to the denominator 10:

550= \frac{5}{50}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 50, gives us a result of 10

Therefore:

5:550:5=110 \frac{5:5}{50:5}=\frac{1}{10}

Answer

110 \frac{1}{10}

Exercise #15

Simplify the following fraction and specify the simplification factor:

1636= \frac{16}{36}=

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 36, gives us a result of 18

Therefore:

16:236:2=818 \frac{16:2}{36:2}=\frac{8}{18}

Answer

818 \frac{8}{18} , factor of 2

Topics learned in later sections

  1. Simplification and Expansion of Simple Fractions