Simplifying fractions

The Maths Habit

Which bar has the same amount shaded as this bar?

This bar
A
✓ The sameB
Less shadedC
More shaded

Halve both numbers.

6 and 83 and 4
10 and 45 and 2
12 and 206 and 10

Numerator
The top number of a fraction. It tells you how many parts are shaded.
34
Denominator
The bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts.
34
Simplest form
The same fraction with the smallest numbers. Only 1 goes into the top and the bottom.
68
34

topbottom
2
÷number
÷number
  1. 1Pick a number that goes into both.Try 2, 3, 5 or 10. Join the parts into groups of that number.
  2. 2Divide the top and the bottom.Use the same number for both. Count the groups.

Simplify 68

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
68
2
÷2
÷2
34

Simplify 1015

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
1015
2
÷5
÷5
23

Simplify 68

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
68
2
÷2
÷2
34
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.

Simplify 410

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
410
2
÷2
÷2
25

Simplify 68

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
68
2
÷2
÷2
34
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.

Simplify 39

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
39
2
÷3
÷3
13

Simplify 68

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
68
2
÷2
÷2
34
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.

Simplify 1416

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
1416
2
÷2
÷2
78

1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.

1Simplify 28

1
28
2
÷2
÷2
14

2Simplify 69

1
69
2
÷3
÷3
23

3Simplify 810

1
810
2
÷2
÷2
45

4Simplify 1012

1
1012
2
÷2
÷2
56

Is it in its simplest form?

34Yes
46No: 2 goes into both
25Yes
69No: 3 goes into both

topbottom
2
÷number
÷number
3
÷number
÷number
  1. 1Pick a number that goes into both.Try 2, 3, 5 or 10. Join the parts into groups of that number.
  2. 2Divide the top and the bottom.Use the same number for both. Count the groups.
  3. 3Divide again if you can.Stop when only 1 goes into both. This is the simplest form.

Simplify 812

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
812
2
÷2
÷2
46
3
÷2
÷2
23

Simplify 416

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
416
2
÷2
÷2
28
3
÷2
÷2
14

Simplify 812

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
812
2
÷2
÷2
46
3
÷2
÷2
23
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.3Divide again if you can.

Simplify 1228

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
1228
2
÷2
÷2
614
3
÷2
÷2
37

Simplify 812

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
812
2
÷2
÷2
46
3
÷2
÷2
23
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.3Divide again if you can.

Simplify 927

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
927
2
÷3
÷3
39
3
÷3
÷3
13

Simplify 812

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
812
2
÷2
÷2
46
3
÷2
÷2
23
1Pick a number that goes into both.2Divide the top and the bottom.3Divide again if you can.

Simplify 1428

1Pick a number that goes into both.
2Divide the top and the bottom.
3Divide again if you can.
1428
2
÷2
÷2
714
3
÷7
÷7
12

Simplifying fractions worksheet, page 1

Simplifying fractions worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Is it right?
Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. 68 = 34 in its simplest form

    Right
  2. 1216 = 68 in its simplest form

    Wrong: divide again
  3. 510 = 15 in its simplest form

    Wrong: it is 12
  4. 412 = 13 in its simplest form

    Right
  5. 912 = 34 in its simplest form

    Right

  1. Simplify 3648 in one step.

    ÷ 12: 34
  2. Which is the odd one out?  69   1015   814

    814: it is 47
  3. A film lasts 60 minutes. Jo has watched 45 minutes. What fraction has she watched? Give it in its simplest form.

    34

  1. Simplify 612

    12
    1Pick a number thatgoes into both.2Divide the topand the bottom.3Divide againif you can.6122÷2÷23÷÷
  2. Simplify 2024

    56
    1Pick a number thatgoes into both.2Divide the topand the bottom.3Divide againif you can.20242÷÷3÷÷
  3. Simplify 1830

    35
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