Simple Fraction Practice: Reduce and Expand Fractions

Master simplifying and expanding fractions with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to multiply and divide numerators and denominators while preserving values.

πŸ“šPractice Reducing and Expanding Simple Fractions
  • Expand fractions by multiplying numerator and denominator by the same number
  • Simplify fractions by dividing both parts by common factors
  • Find equivalent fractions with different numerators and denominators
  • Complete missing numbers in fraction expansion and reduction problems
  • Identify when fractions cannot be simplified further
  • Apply fraction concepts using real-world examples like pizza slices

Understanding Simplification and Expansion of Simple Fractions

Complete explanation with examples

Simplification and Expansiono f Simple Fractions

To amplify fractions

We will perform the same multiplication operation on the numerator and the denominator: the value of the fraction will be preserved.

You can expand as many times as you want and by any number.

To simplify fractions:

We will perform the same division operation on the numerator and the denominator: the value of the fraction will be preserved.

This can only be done with a number that is completely divisible by both the numerator and the denominator.

It is possible to simplify only until reaching a fraction in which it is not possible to find a number that divides without remainder both in the numerator and the denominator.

Step-by-step simplification of the fraction 24 over 16 to 6 over 4, and finally to 3 over 2 using division

Detailed explanation

Practice Simplification and Expansion of Simple Fractions

Test your knowledge with 17 quizzes

Enlarge the following fraction by the factor 4:

\( \frac{1}{3}= \)

Examples with solutions for Simplification and Expansion of Simple Fractions

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 10:

116= \frac{1}{16}=

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}

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 2:

1012= \frac{10}{12}=

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}

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 3:

610= \frac{6}{10}=

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}

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Increase the following fraction by a factor of 5:

310= \frac{3}{10}=

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}

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Enlarge the following fraction by the factor 3:

215= \frac{2}{15}=

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}

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to expand or amplify a fraction?

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Expanding a fraction means multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the same number. This creates an equivalent fraction that looks different but has the same value. For example, 1/2 expanded by 4 becomes 4/8.

How do you simplify a fraction step by step?

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To simplify a fraction: 1) Find a number that divides both numerator and denominator evenly, 2) Divide both parts by that number, 3) Repeat until no common factors remain. For example, 24/16 Γ· 8 = 3/2.

When can a fraction not be simplified anymore?

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A fraction cannot be simplified when there is no number (other than 1) that divides both the numerator and denominator without a remainder. For example, 3/5 cannot be simplified because 3 and 5 share no common factors.

Does expanding a fraction make it bigger?

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No, expanding a fraction does not change its actual value or make it bigger. The fraction only looks different with larger numbers, but represents the same amount. For instance, 1/2 = 4/8 = 8/16 all represent the same value.

What are equivalent fractions in simple terms?

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Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same value. They are created by multiplying or dividing both the numerator and denominator by the same number. Examples include 2/4, 3/6, and 4/8, which all equal 1/2.

How do you find missing numbers in fraction problems?

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To find missing numbers: 1) Compare the known parts of both fractions, 2) Determine what number was used to multiply or divide, 3) Apply the same operation to the unknown part. If 2/8 = 4/β–‘, then 2Γ—2=4, so 8Γ—2=16.

What is the difference between simplifying and expanding fractions?

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Simplifying uses division to make fractions smaller and easier to work with, while expanding uses multiplication to create equivalent fractions with larger numbers. Both preserve the fraction's value but change its appearance.

Why is it important to learn fraction reduction and expansion?

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These skills are essential for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. They help solve math problems more easily and are used in real-life situations like cooking, measurements, and calculating proportions in recipes or construction projects.

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