How to Simplify Fractions

by Reza about 2 years ago in Articles

In this post, you will learn how to simplify fractions. You can simplify fractions in a few simple steps.

Step by step guide to Simplify Fractions

Evenly divide both the top and bottom of the fraction by \(2, 3, 5, 7\) , … etc.
Continue until you can’t go any further.

Simplifying Fractions – Example 1:

Simplify . \( \frac{18}{24} \)

Solution:

To simplify \(\frac{18}{24}\) , find a number that both \(18\) and \(24\) are divisible by. Both are divisible by \( 6\) . Then: \(\frac{18}{24}=\frac{18 \ \div \ 6 }{24 \ \div \ 6 }=\frac{3}{4}\)

Simplifying Fractions – Example 2:

Simplify . \( \frac{72}{90} \)

Solution:

To simplify \(\frac{72}{90}\), , find a number that both \(72\) and \(90\) are divisible by. Both are divisible by \(9\) and \( 18\). Then: \(\frac{72}{90}=\frac{72 \ \div 9}{ 90 \ \div \ 9 } =\frac{8}{10}\), \(8\) and \(10\) are divisible by \(2\), Then: \(\frac{8}{10}=\frac{4}{5}\)
or \(\frac{72}{90}=\frac{72 \ \div 18 }{90 \ \div 18}=\frac{4}{5}\)

Simplifying Fractions – Example 3:

Simplify . \( \frac{12}{20} \)

Solution:

To simplify \(\frac{12}{20}\), find a number that both \(12\) and \(20\) are divisible by. Both are divisible by \(4\). Then: \(\frac{12}{20}=\frac{12÷4}{20÷4}=\frac{3}{5}\)

Simplifying Fractions – Example 4:

Simplify . \( \frac{64}{80} \)

Solution:

To simplify \(\frac{64}{80}\), find a number that both \(64\) and \(80\) are divisible by. Both are divisible by \(8\) and \(16\). Then: \(\frac{64}{80}=\frac{64÷8}{80÷8}=\frac{8}{10}\) , \(8\) and \(10\) are divisible by \(2\), then: \(\frac{8}{10}=\frac{4}{5}\)
or \(\frac{64}{80}=\frac{64÷16}{80÷16}=\frac{4}{5}\)

Exercises for Simplifying Fractions

Simplify the fractions.

\(\color{blue}{\frac{22}{36}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{8}{10}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{12}{18}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{6}{8}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{13}{39}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{5}{20}}\)

Download Simplifying Fractions Worksheet

\(\color{blue}{\frac{11}{18}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{4}{5}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{2}{3}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{3}{4}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{3}}\)
\(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{4}}\)