Sometimes we can simplify or reduce fractions to make them easier to understand. When we simplify fractions we use the smallest numbers possible. You can divide the numerator and denominator by the same number to simplify. For example: below is an example of how to simplify 100/200.
The easiest way to find a number you can divide into the numerator and denominator evenly to simply is to find the greatest common factor. For example: to simplify 27/108 find the greatest common factor of 27 and 108. Then divide the numerator and denominator by the factor to simplify.
The factors of 27 are 1, 3, 9, and 27.
The factors of 108 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 27, 36, 54, and 108.
27 is the highest factor of the numbers 27 and 108 so we divide by 27.
Adding and subtracting like fractions. Like fractions are fractions with the same denominator. For example: 1/6 and 3/6 are like fractions because both fractions have 6 as the denominator.
To add and subtract like fractions you add or subtract the numerator and the denominator stays the same. For example: in the problem below you would add the numerators (2+1=3) and the denominator stays the same (4). The answer is 3/4.
Adding and subtracting unlike fractions. Unlike fractions are fractions with different denominators. For example: 1/5 and 3/8 are unlike fractions because the fractions have different denominator.
To add and subtract unlike fractions you must first make the denominators the same by finding the least common multiple of the denominators. For example: in the problem below you would find the least common multiple of 2 and 3. The least common denominator is 6.
We need to make this our new denominator....
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