Equivalent Fractions

Lesson 3-4

Vocabulary
Equivalent fractions are fractions that name the same
amount.

2
4

4
8

Creating Equivalent Fractions

Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same
number.
Divide the numerator and denominator by the same
number (it has to be a common factor to work with
division)
We can choose any number to multiply
by. Lets multiply by 2.

3 x2
6
=
10
5 x2

So, 3/5 is equivalent to

6/10.

If you have larger numbers, you can make equivalent

fractions using division. Divide by a common factor.

28 7 = 4
35 7 5

In this example, we can

divide both numbers by 7.

28/35 is equivalent to 4/5.

Fractions in 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
5

2
11

3
8

Writing Fractions in Simplest

Form.

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of

the numerator and denominator.
Divide both numbers by the GCF.

Example:

20 4= 5
7
28 4
20
28

20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
28: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28

1 x 20

1 x 28

Common Factors: 1, 2, 4

2 x 10

2 x 14

GCF: 4

4x5

4x7

We will divide by 4.

Simplest
Form

Homework Time