Fractions Lesson 4

Simplifying fractions

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

WALT : find an equivalent

fraction which uses the
lowest numbers.

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Simplifying is like finding

an equivalent fraction.

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

For example, lets think of

an equivalent fraction for

6
10

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So remember, what ever

we do to the top number
we must do to the bottom
number.

6
10

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So heres an equivalent
fraction lets multiply
top and bottom by 3..
times 3

18

10

30
times 3

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

To simplify a fraction we
must change it.

18

10

30

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Change it to the smallest

numbers possible.

18

10

30
Oops, this is not using the
smallest numbers . . . .

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So lets try dividing.

6
10

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

But by what ?

6
10

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So lets try dividing.

Divide by 2

6
10
Divide by 2
MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So lets try dividing.

Divide by 2

10

5
Divide by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Yes. We have simplified

this fraction.

10

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Heres another

8
14

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Chat. Think.

8
14

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by

5?

NO
14
8

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by

7?

NO
14
8

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by

2?

yes
14
8

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by

2?
divide by 2

4
14divide by 27
8

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

And thats simplifying

8
14

4
7

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Even when large numbers

are involved, you still
follow the same rules.

18
36

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Even when large numbers

are involved, you still
follow the same rules.

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

But were not there yet!

We can simplify further.
We can make these numbers
smaller
Lets try dividing by 2

18

36

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

What can we divide

9 and 18
by?

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Guess and check . . . .

By 4 ?
By 5 ?

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Start with the top number

itself. top and
Lets try dividing
by 9
bottom

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Start with the top number

itself. top and
Lets try dividing
by 9
bottom

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

Lets try dividing by 9

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

1
Lets try dividing by 9

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

It doesnt matter how

many steps you take.
You keep dividing until you
cant divide any more.

18
36

Lets try dividing by 2

Lets try dividing by 9

9
18

Lets try dividing by 2

1
Lets try dividing by 9

MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Try these in your jotter

(a) 12

27
(f) 24

32
(k) 4

12

(b 18
)

(c) 32

72

48

(g 15
)

35

(l)

9
36

(d 6
)

(e) 18

(h 54
)

(i) 10

(j)

81

18

16

(m 16
)

(n 10
)

(o) 12

40

12

36

50

Simplify them
MALT2006 Maths/fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

36

answers
(a) 4

9
(f) 3

4
(k) 1

(b
)

(c) 2

(g
)

(l)

(h
)

(m
)

(d
)

(i)

(e) 1

(j)

9
(n
)

(o) 1

answers
MALT2006 Maths/fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Fractions Lesson 4
Simplifying fractions

End of this
lesson
MALT2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4