# Simplifying Fractions

Do you want to know how to solve simplifying fractions? you can do it in two easy steps.

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

### Example 1:

Simplify . $$\frac{18}{24}$$

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

### Example 2:

Simplify . $$\frac{72}{90}$$

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 $$\frac{72}{90}=\frac{72 \ \div 18 }{90 \ \div 18}=\frac{4}{5}$$

### Example 3:

Simplify . $$\frac{12}{20}$$

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

### Example 4:

Simplify . $$\frac{64}{80}$$

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

### Simplify the fractions.

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

• $$\color{blue}{\frac{11}{18}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{4}{5}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{2}{3}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{3}{4}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{1}{3}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{1}{4}}$$