Simplifying Fractions

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Look at the fraction below. Try and imagine a drawing of that fraction:

I bet it was hard to imagine that fraction as a fraction bar or a picture!

Maybe if we simplify the fraction, it will be easier to understand!

In order to simplify a fraction, we need to reduce the numerator and denominator to make a simpler to understand equivalent fraction.

Woah! We need to simplify that sentence.

Let's look at the first word: reduce.

Reduce means to make smaller. In order to make a number smaller, there are two operations we can do: subtract and divide. In the case of fractions, we will be dividing to simplify the fraction.

We will divide the numerator and denominator to simplify the fraction:

• But divide them by what?

We need to find the greatest common factor (GCF). This will make an equivalent fraction. This means the simplified fraction will be equal to the original fraction.

(If you need a review of GCF. check out our lesson found under Additional Resources in the right-hand sidebar._

First, list out all the factors for 36 and 45. Then, find the greatest factor the two numbers have in common:

Now, we are ready to divide and reduce the fraction! Both 36 and 45 share the factor of 9. Divide the top and bottom of the fraction by 9:

We just simplified a fraction!

Now, try and imagine that fraction! I bet it is easier to understand and picture in your head:

You are ready to practice simplifying fractions on your own! Visit the Got It section to try your new skills!