Mathematics 3

Lesson 6: Equivalent Fractions and Lowest Term

Objectives:
a. Compare fractions that are less than, greater than or equal to one.
b. Reduce Fractions to lowest.
c. Appreciate the concept of fractions.

Equivalent Fractions
Equivalent fractions are fractions of equal value. They show the same parts of the
whole or a set. To check if two fractions are equal, use figures or cross multiplication. If the
cross products are the same, then they are equivalent fractions.
Example:
1
1.) in figure:
2

2
in figure:
4

Notice that the part taken were the same, it is just that on the second figure, the
part taken is divided into two parts:

Part taken = Part taken

1 2
Therefore;
2
= 4

1 2
2.) =
3 6

Here how to check if the fractions are equivalent fraction:

Mathematics 3
 Mathematics 3

3 6
1.) ,
4 8 - Cross multiply the two terms

36
48
; 3 x 8 = 24

36
48
; 4 x 8 = 24

3
∧6
- Since the product are the same, therefore 4
8
are equivalent fraction.

2 10 2 10
2.) ,
3 15
; 3 15
; 30 = 30; therefore they
are equivalent fraction

1 3 13
3.) ,
3 4
; 34
; 4 = 9; not equivalent.

LOWEST TERM
Lowest term is the term that has the smallest number use as its equivalent fraction. In
changing a fraction to its lowest term, divide both the numerator and the denominator by the
greatest common factor or GCF.
Example:
4
1.) - find the GCF of 4 and 6.
6

4: 2, 4
6: 2, 3, 6
The GCF is 2.

- Divide numerator and denominator by 2.

4÷2 2 4 2
=
6÷2 3
- the lowest term of
6
is
3
.

Mathematics 3
 Mathematics 3

9
2.)
12
=? - find the GCF of 9 and 12.

9 : 3, 9
12 : 3, 4, 6, 12 - the gcf is 3.

9÷ 3 3
=
12÷ 3 4

18
3.) =? - 18 : 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
26
- 26 : 2, 13, 26
- GCF is 2.

18÷ 2 9
=
26 ÷ 2 13
Exercises
A. Shade the following figures to make the fraction equivalent.

1.)

2.) =

3.) =

4.) =

5.) =

B. Write each fraction in its lowest terms.

Mathematics 3
 Mathematics 3

6
1.) =?
8

8
2.) =?
12

12
3.) =?
27

45
4.) =?
99

32
5.) =?
56

Mathematics 3