Video and Examples

\frac{36\div~2}{40\div~2}\,=\,\frac{18}{20} 

\frac{36}{40} is the same amount as \frac{18}{20}, but \frac{18}{20} can be reduced even further.

\frac{18}{20}\,=\,\frac{18\div~2}{20\div~2}\,=\,\frac{9}{10}

Since 9 and 10 do not have a common factor larger than 1, we say \frac{9}{10} is in simplest form.

A quicker way to reduce \frac{36}{40} would have been to divide both numbers by 4.

\frac{36}{40}\,=\,\frac{36\div~4}{40\div~4}\,=\,\frac{9}{10}

Use this applet to verify that two fractions are indeed equivalent.

 

Self-Check


Q1: Reduce this fraction: \frac{18}{24}\,=\,\,\,\,\, [show answer]


Q2: Reduce this fraction: \frac{24}{60}\,=\,\,\,\,\, [show answer]


Q3: Reduce this fraction: \frac{20}{24}\,=\,\,\,\,\, [show answer]


 

Last modified: Thursday, 16 April 2020, 2:05 PM