Equivalent Fractions Scott Foresman 7.7

Vocabulary Equivalent fractions are fractions that name the same amount. 2 4 = 8 4

Creating Equivalent Fractions Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. Divide the numerator and denominator by the same number (it has to be a common factor to work with division) We can choose any number to multiply by. Let’s multiply by 2. 3 x 2 6 So, 3/5 is equivalent to 6/10. = 5 x 2 10

If you have larger numbers, you can make equivalent fractions using division. Divide by a common factor. 4 28 ÷ 7 In this example, we can divide both numbers by 7. = ÷ 7 5 35 28/35 is equivalent to 4/5.

Fractions in Simplest Form Fractions are in simplest form when the numerator and denominator do not have any common factors besides 1. Examples of fractions that are in simplest form: 4 2 3 8 5 11

Writing Fractions in Simplest Form. Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator. Divide both numbers by the GCF.

Example: 5 20 ÷ 4 = Simplest Form 7 28 ÷ 4 20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 20 28 28: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28 1 x 20 2 x 10 4 x 5 1 x 28 2 x 14 4 x 7 Common Factors: 1, 2, 4 GCF: 4 We will divide by 4.