How do you do simplify?

Answer 1

Steps to simplification:

Is the lower part of the fraction smaller than the upper part

4/16 = No so this is a PROPER fraction

18/4 = Yes so this is an IMPROPER fraction

For IMPROPER fractions divide the lower bit into the upper bit and write the number down then make the remainder the upper bit of the fraction. The remainder will now be a PROPER fraction.

18/4 = 4 and 2/4

with 32/15 = 2 and 2/15

For PROPER fractions, look to see if you can divide both the upper and lower bit by the SAME number, if you can do so.

with 4 and 2/4 (from above), the 2/4 can be simplified by dividing by 2 making 1/2 (4 and 1/2)

with 2 and 2/15 (from above), the 2/15 cannot simplified as 2 and 15 do not share a common divisor so 2 and 2/15 is the simplest form.

with 4/16 one can divide through by 4 making 1/4 as the simplest form

with 24/60 one can divide through by 12 making 2/5 as the simplest form

with 9/12 one can divide though by 3 making 3/4 as the simplest form

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Okay, simplifying is EASY, lets say:

6/8 - 2/4 = ??

The first answer you get is 2/8. But that can be reduced. How can I tell? 2 and 8 share a factor besides the number 1, for example:

2: 1, 2

8, 1, 2...... etc.

Because they both share 2, this is where you ask yourself this; how many times does 2 go into 2? Two goes into 2, 1 time. How many times does 2 go into 8? It goes into 8, 4 times. So your new answer would be 1/4. basically when you get your answer you just have to find the GCF that both the numerator and denominator share.

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Another answer:

You have to divide each number on a fraction with a number that goes into both. For example, 4/6 you have to divide both number by what? Lets see, what can go in 4 and 6? So you divide both by 2, giving you 2/3, and there is your answer.

Answer 2

You find a number you can divide both the numerator and denominator by.

You may want to start from 2 and just keep going until you find the smallest number possible for your numerator and denominator.

Your Welcome :)