1. Equivalent Fractions
Mrs. Walker th Grade

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

3. Creating Equivalent Fractions
Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.
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

4. Creating Equivalent Fractions
Divide the numerator and denominator by a common factor. (It has to be a common factor to work with division.)
To divide we MUST use a common factor. What number is a common factor of 6 ? 10 6
÷ 2 3
So, 3/5 is equivalent to 6/10. = 10
÷ 2 5

5. Think to yourself… What number can I divide into both 28 and 35?
For larger numbers, make equivalent fractions using division. Remember, divide by a common factor. 28
÷ 7 4 =
Think to yourself… What number can I divide into both 28 and 35? 35
÷ 7 5
In this example, we can divide both numbers by 7.
28/35 is equivalent to 4/5.

6. Vocabulary: 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 5 11 8

7. Simplify means to reduce a fraction to it’s simplest form.
Vocabulary: Simplify
Simplify means to reduce a fraction to it’s simplest form.

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

9. Example: 20 5
÷ 4 =
Simplest Form 28
÷ 4 7 20 28
20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
We will divide by 4.
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

10. Homework Time