Fractions Simplifying Simplifying Equivalences Equivalences

Equivalent Fractions of one half The bottom number is twice the top number The top number is half the bottom number

In a fraction the top number is the numerator. The bottom number is the denominator. Which of these fractions are equivalent to a half. Look at the relationship between the numerator and the denominator. 11x2=22 so yes 8x2=16 so no 15x2= 30 so yes It is relatively easy to see if a fraction equals a half or not.

Which of these are equivalent to a third? No Yes No Yes Is the bottom number three times the top number?

Simplifying fractions – a general method You have to find a common divisor – a number which will go into both the top number and the bottom number and leave no remainder

Find a number that will go into the numerator and denominator and leave no remainder What number will go into 25 and 100 and leave no remainder? 5 is a possibility What number will go into 5 and 20 and leave no remainder? We can’t go any further 5 is a possibility again

Find a number that will go into the numerator and denominator and leave no remainder What number will go into 28 and 42 and leave no remainder? They are both even numbers so two will work What number will go into 14 and 21 and leave no remainder? We can’t go any further 7 will

Simplifying fractions- You need to know your times tables Even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 – Two will always go into and even number. Here are some even numbers

To see if 3 goes into a number – see if three goes into the sum of the digits – example - 39 (3+9=12=3x4) Here are some numbers that are divisible by three Simplifying fractions- You need to know your times tables =6=3x =9=3x =9=3x =12=3x4

Five will go into any number that ends in zero or five Ten will go into any number that ends in zero Twenty five will go into any number that ends in 00, 25, 50, 75 Simplifying fractions- You need to know your times tables

Try to simplify these fractions