Reducing Fractions - Kids Need To Know The Greatest Common Factors

How To Reduce Fractions Into Lowest Terms    

When kids learn fractions, they need to learn simplifying fractions into lowest terms too. Simplifying fractions is also known as reducing fractions into lowest terms. This is done by dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number (this dividing number is known as the greatest common factor of the numerator and the denominator)

For example; consider we have a fraction 6/21, in this fraction the numerator is 6 and the denominator is 21. Now, we have to find out if this fraction can be reduced into lowest terms or it is already in its lowest terms.


To see, if a fraction can be reduced into lowest terms; we have to find the common factor of the numerator and denominator of the fraction. In the given fraction numerator is 6 and the denominator is 21. There is a common factor of 3, in 6 and 21, hence we can reduce the given fraction into its lowest terms. 

To reduce this fraction (6/21) into its lowest terms, divide 6 and 21 both by 3 as shown below:

  The new numerator = 6/3 = 2

The new denominator = 21/3 = 7

Hence the reduced fraction = 2/7

 

If the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than one, then this fraction is already in its lowest terms. For example; in case of fraction 3/7, there is no common denominator between numerator 3 and denominator 7 (other than 1). Therefore the fraction 3/7 is already in its lowest terms.


You can learn more about reducing fractions using our fractions worksheets. Math practice makes the kids perfect in math.


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What Are Equivalent Fractions?

When two or more fractions have the same value, they are called the equivalent fractions. For example; one of two brothers ate one out of two pieces of pizza, which means this person ate half of pizza, this can be represented as "1/2"

Now there were four pieces of pizza and the other brother ate two pieces out of those four pieces of this pizza. This fraction can be represented as "2/4".

 Now if we see both brothers ate half of the pizza, which means one out of two "1/2" and two out of four "2/4" both represent the same fraction of the whole, and which is half.

Hence the equivalent fractions represent the same part of a whole. Equivalent fractions can be obtained by multiplying and dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number.

For more content about equivalent fractions, visit our site by clicking any link in this article. Our fractions worksheets website is specially about the lessons on fractions.

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