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Fractions – Reducing Fractions and Equivalent Fractions

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Reducing a fraction means dividing both the numerator and denominator by the same number to get a simpler fraction.

Let’s take the fraction 20/40 , since the numbers are both even, we will start to divide them both by 2. Now we have 10/20 . We can again, divide both numerator and denominator by 2. Or, we can also see that 5 goes into both numbers. We can divide them both by 2 or 5. Let’s divide by 2. When we divide both the numerator and denominator by 2, we get 5/10. As you can see, we can divide both numbers by 5, because 5 will go into itself once and in 10 two times. We finally get the fraction 1/2.

The fraction ½ is the simplest form of the same fraction. We know this because we can’t divide any further (that is, there are no other factors). So, to draw an example from this process, we can say that we gave away 20 stickers from a pack of 40. Or, we can say that we gave away ½ of the pack of stickers.

Fractions appear different, but they still represent the same number: 20/40, 10/20, 5/10, and 1/2are all equal. Or we can say that they are equivalent fractions.

You can help your child learn to reduce fractions by learning about equivalent fractions.

1. Have your child start off by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2 if they are both even.

2. If they are not even, start off by seeing which odd numbers go evenly into both the numerator and denominator. Start with 3, 5, 7 and so on.

3. Your child must have a good understanding of multiples (i.e. multiplication facts).

4. Your child should also be competent in division as well.

You can help your child learn to reduce fractions by finding equivalent fractions. Make sure your child has a good grasp of other basic math skills first, then try to reduce some simpler fractions before working on harder ones.

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Tutorgiant.com provides complete Fractions lessons with worksheets.

See some of the lessons in our video library.

FRACTIONS - Lesson (A) Introduction to Fractions (Grades 1-2)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (B) Fractions of Sets (Grade 3)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (C) Comparing Fractions (Grade 3)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (D) Equivalent (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (E) Equivalent (Numerical) (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (F) Changing Fractions to Decimals (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (F2) Changing Fractions to Decimals Using Division (Grades 5-6)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (G) Changing Decimals into Fractions (Grades 4-6)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (H) Comparing (Grade 5)