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Chapter 2 · Fractions · page 8 of 68

Equivalent fractions and simplest form

levelGrade 5
standard5.NF
practiceFraction operations

Multiplying or dividing the top and bottom by the same number does not change the value. Six eighths and three quarters are the same number. Simplest form is the version where top and bottom share no factor but 1.

How to use it

  1. Find the largest number that divides both top and bottom.
  2. Divide both by it.
  3. If the only common factor is 1, you are done.

Example

68=6÷28÷2=34\frac{6}{8} = \frac{6 \div 2}{8 \div 2} = \frac{3}{4}
1218=23\frac{12}{18} = \frac{2}{3}

Where it goes wrong

  • Dividing only the top, or only the bottom.
  • Stopping early: 12/18 → 6/9 is equivalent but not simplest. One more step.

Related

What a fraction isAdding and subtracting fractions
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